NGC 4492

{{Infobox Galaxy

| name = NGC 4492

| image = NGC 4492 PanS.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Pan-STARRS image of NGC 4492

| epoch = J2000

| type = SA(s)a?{{cite web

| title=NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database

| work=Results for NGC 4492

| url=http://nedwww.ipac.caltech.edu/

| access-date=2017-10-25}}

| ra = {{RA|12|30|59.7}}

| dec = {{DEC|08|04|40}}

| dist_ly = 90,950,000 ly

{{cite web

| title = parsecs to lightyears conversion

| url = http://www.unitconversion.org/length/parsecs-to-light-years-conversion.html

| access-date = 2017-09-30

}}

| z = 0.005804/1740 km/s

| appmag_v = 13.0

| size_v = 1.58 x 1.25

| constellation name = Virgo

| names = IC 3438, PGC 41383, UGC 7656, VCC 1330

|size=~33,450 ly (estimated) }}

NGC 4492 is a spiral galaxy{{Cite web|url=http://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/cgi-bin/objsearch?objname=NGC+4492&extend=no&hconst=73&omegam=0.27&omegav=0.73&corr_z=1&out_csys=Equatorial&out_equinox=J2000.0&obj_sort=RA+or+Longitude&of=pre_text&zv_breaker=30000.0&list_limit=5&img_stamp=YES|title=Your NED Search Results|website=ned.ipac.caltech.edu|access-date=2017-10-27}} located about 90 million light-years away {{Cite journal|last1=Carmen Toribio|first1=M.|last2=Solanes|first2=Jose M.|date=10 November 2009|title=H i DISTRIBUTION AND TULLY–FISHER DISTANCES OF GAS-POOR SPIRAL GALAXIES IN THE VIRGO CLUSTER REGION|journal=The Astronomical Journal|volume=138|issue=6|pages=1957–1968|doi=10.1088/0004-6256/138/6/1957|arxiv=0909.3615|bibcode=2009AJ....138.1957T|s2cid=15207214}} in the constellation Virgo.{{Cite web|url=https://dso-browser.com/deep-sky/5540/ngc-4492/galaxy|title=Galaxy NGC 4492 - Spiral Galaxy in Virgo Constellation · Deep Sky Objects Browser|last=Rojas|first=Sebastián García|website=DSO Browser|language=en|access-date=2017-10-27}} NGC 4492 was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on December 28, 1785. It was rediscovered by astronomer Arnold Schwassmann on January 23, 1900, and was listed as IC 3438.{{Cite web|url=http://cseligman.com/text/atlas/ngc44a.htm#4492|title=New General Catalog Objects: NGC 4450 - 4499|website=cseligman.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-27}} NGC 4492 lies in the direction of the Virgo Cluster. However, it is not considered to be a member of that cluster.

Physical characteristics

NGC 4492 has a relatively large bulge while showing signs of weak spiral structure. The spiral arms are also outlined by lanes of interstellar dust.

Virgo Cluster membership

NGC 4492 is listed in the Virgo Cluster Catalog as VCC 1330.{{cite journal

| author=Binggeli, B. | author2=Sandage, A. | author3=Tammann, G. A.

| date=1985

| title=Studies of the Virgo Cluster. II – A catalog of 2096 galaxies in the Virgo Cluster area

| journal=Astronomical Journal

| volume=90 | pages=1681–1759

| doi=10.1086/113874

| bibcode=1985AJ.....90.1681B

}} However, distance estimates to the galaxy place it at a location far outside of the cluster's center. Also, its radial velocity indicates that NGC 4492 is not gravitationally bound to the Virgo Cluster but is expanding away from it. Therefore, NGC 4492 is not a member of the Virgo Cluster but rather a background galaxy.{{Cite journal|last1=Sanchis|first1=T.|last2=Mamon|first2=G. A.|last3=Salvador-Solé|first3=E.|last4=Solanes|first4=J. M.|date=2004-05-01|title=The origin of H I-deficiency in galaxies on the outskirts of the Virgo cluster|journal=Astronomy & Astrophysics|language=en|volume=418|issue=2|pages=393–411|doi=10.1051/0004-6361:20034158|issn=0004-6361|arxiv=astro-ph/0401367|bibcode=2004A&A...418..393S|s2cid=18787428}}