NGC 3607

NGC 3607 is a small but fairly bright[7] lenticular galaxy[3] in the equatorial constellation of Leo, about 2.5° south of the prominent star Delta Leonis.

[7] It occupies the center of the Leo II Group of galaxies, forming one of its two brightest members – the other being NGC 3608.

It is an intermediate mass galaxy[3] that is being viewed at an inclination of 34°,[5] showing an ellipticity of 0.13 with the major axis oriented along a position angle of 125°.

[5] A system of 46 confirmed globular clusters have been identified around NGC 3607, which are orbiting within an effective radius of 14.2±2.0 kpc.

[3] Orbital motions of this cluster system[11] imply an unusual poverty of dark matter: perhaps 16%±44% of the total mass within 5 effective radii.