NGC 4216 is one of the largest and brightest spiral galaxies of the Virgo Cluster, with an absolute magnitude that has been estimated to be −22 (i.e.: brighter than the Andromeda Galaxy),[3] and like most spiral galaxies of this cluster shows a deficiency of neutral hydrogen that is concentrated within the galaxy's optical disk and has a low surface density for a galaxy of its type.[4] This explains why NGC 4216 is considered an anemic galaxy by some authors, also with a low star formation activity for a galaxy of its type.[5] In fact, the galaxy's disk shows pillar-like structures that may have been caused by interactions with the intracluster medium of Virgo and/or with nearby galaxies.[6]
In NGC 4216's halo, besides a rich system of globular clusters estimated to number around 700 (nearly five times more than the Milky Way),[3]two stellar streams that are interpreted as two satellite galaxies being disrupted and absorbed by this galaxy are present.[6]
NGC 4216 seems to be in a place of the Virgo cluster where dwarf galaxies are being destroyed/accreted at a high rate, with it suffering many interactions with these type of galaxies.[7]
One supernova has been observed in NGC 4216: SN 2024gy (type Ia, mag. 16.3).[8]
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Vollmer, B.; Soida, M.; Beck, R.; Chung, A.; Urbanik, M.; Chyży, K. T.; Otmianowska-Mazur, K.; Kenney, J. D. P. (2013). "Large-scale radio continuum properties of 19 Virgo cluster galaxies. The influence of tidal interactions, ram pressure stripping, and accreting gas envelopes". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 553: 1741–1816. arXiv:1304.1279. Bibcode:2013A&A...553A.116V. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201321163. S2CID119190841. A116.