# Abell 2218 BCG

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Type-cD galaxy in the constellation Draco

Abell 2218 BCG Pan-STARRS image of Abell 2218 BCG Observation data (J2000.0 epoch) Constellation Draco Right ascension 16h 35m 49.12s[1] Declination +66° 12′ 33.88″[1] Redshift 0.172000[1] Heliocentric radial velocity 51,564 ± 120 km/s[1] Distance 2,489.4 ± 174.5 Mly (763.25 ± 53.49 Mpc)[1] Group or cluster Abell 2218 magnitude (J) 15.17[1] Characteristics Type cD;E[1] Size ~600,000 ly (183.9 kpc) (estimated)[1] Other designations 2MASX J16354949+6612360, Abell 2218:[BOW83] 008, LEDA 140648, 2MFGC 13294, [HMD2010] J163549.1+661233.9[1]

**Abell 2218 BCG** (Short for **Abell 2218 Brightest Cluster Galaxy**) is a massive [elliptical galaxy](/source/Elliptical_galaxy) of [type-cD](/source/Type-cD_galaxy) located in the constellation of [Draco](/source/Draco_(constellation)). The [redshift](/source/Redshift) of the galaxy is (z) 0.172[1] and it was first discovered in January 1988 by astronomers who noted curved structures around it.[2] It is the [brightest cluster galaxy](/source/Brightest_cluster_galaxy) of [Abell 2218](/source/Abell_2218), a luminous [Bautz-Morgan](/source/Bautz%E2%80%93Morgan_classification) class II [galaxy cluster](/source/Galaxy_cluster).[3][4]

## Description

Abell 2218 BCG is the central dominant galaxy of Abell 2218.[4][5] The galaxy has a low [surface brightness](/source/Surface_brightness) central profile and a single nucleus. Its galactic envelope is best described by a [de Vaucouleurs law](/source/De_Vaucouleurs's_law) profile and is more than 180 [kiloparsecs](/source/Parsec) in length.[6][2] The [ellipticity](/source/Flattening) increases in an outward direction with the isothopes in the innermost region at the [radius](/source/Radius) of one arcsecond depicted as circularized. The BCG's [major axis](/source/Semi-major_and_semi-minor_axes) decreases along with its radius, with the twist angle being around 8°.[6]

The total [stellar population](/source/Stellar_population) of the BCG is estimated to be aged 9.8 ± 2.8 billion years, with a [stellar mass](/source/Stellar_mass) of 102.1 ± 2.6 × 1010 Mʘ.[7] The U – R color is 0.02 ± 0.10 [magnitude](/source/Magnitude_(astronomy)) with a U – R [color gradient](/source/Color_gradient) of -0.41 ± 0.11 magnitude per dex-1.[5] A study published in July 1999, has found the [optical spectrum](/source/Visible_spectrum) of the BCG shows the absence of [emission lines](/source/Spectral_line).[8] The central core of the BCG has a red appearance based on its inner color profile shape with the r' best surface brightness profile parameter being 23.60+0.14-0.17 magnitude.[9]

There are two faint resolved arc structures extending from east to west around the BCG. The first arc is the brightest, with a [curvature](/source/Curvature) radius of 130 ± 20 kiloparsecs and is located from the center. The second arc is faint, with both a bright part and a faint extension. This faint arc has a curvature radius of 100 kiloparsecs and is situated 20 kiloparsecs from the BCG's center from south to east.[2]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ned_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ned_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ned_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ned_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ned_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-ned_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-ned_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-ned_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-ned_1-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-ned_1-9) ["NED Search results for Abell 2218 BCG (LEDA 140648)"](https://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/byname?objname=LEDA+140648&hconst=67.8&omegam=0.308&omegav=0.692&wmap=4&corr_z=1). *NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_2-2) Pello-Descayre, R.; Soucail, G.; Sanahuja, B; Mathez, G.; Ojero, E. (January 1988). ["Detection and photometry of a complex system in the center of the A 2218 cluster of galaxies"](https://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1988A%26A...190L..11P). *ui.adsabs.harvard.edu*. Retrieved 2026-05-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Egami, E.; Misselt, K. A.; Rieke, G. H.; Wise, M. W.; Neugebauer, G.; Kneib, J.-P.; Le Floc’h, E.; Smith, G. P.; Blaylock, M.; Dole, H.; Frayer, D. T.; Huang, J.-S.; Krause, O.; Papovich, C.; Perez-Gonzalez, P. G. (2006-08-20). "*Spitzer* Observations of the Brightest Galaxies in X-Ray-Luminous Clusters". *The Astrophysical Journal*. **647** (2): 922–933. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[astro-ph/0603656](https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0603656). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2006ApJ...647..922E](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006ApJ...647..922E). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/504519](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F504519). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0004-637X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0004-637X).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_4-1) McHardy, I. M.; Stewart, G. C.; Edge, A. C.; Cooke, B.; Yamashita, K.; Hatsukade, I. (January 1990). ["GINGA observations of Abell 2218: implications for H0"](https://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1990MNRAS.242..215M). *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. **242** (2): 215–220. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/mnras/242.2.215](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fmnras%2F242.2.215). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0035-8711](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0035-8711).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_5-1) Rafferty, D. A.; McNamara, B. R.; Nulsen, P. E. J. (2008-11-10). "The Regulation of Cooling and Star Formation in Luminous Galaxies by Active Galactic Nucleus Feedback and the Cooling-Time/Entropy Threshold for the Onset of Star Formation". *The Astrophysical Journal*. **687** (2): 899–918. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[0802.1864](https://arxiv.org/abs/0802.1864). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2008ApJ...687..899R](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008ApJ...687..899R). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/591240](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F591240). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0004-637X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0004-637X).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_6-1) Kneib, J. P.; Y., Mellier; Pello, R.; Miralda-Escude, J.; Le Borgne, J.-F.; Boehringer, H.; Picat, J.-P. (November 1995). "Dynamics of Abell 2218 from optical and near-IR imagery of arc(let)s and the ROSAT/HRI X-ray map". *Astronomy and Astrophysics*. **303**: 27. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[astro-ph/9504038](https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9504038). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1995A&A...303...27K](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1995A&A...303...27K).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Sánchez, S. F.; Cardiel, N.; Verheijen, M. A. W.; Pedraz, S.; Covone, G. (2007-03-21). ["Morphologies and stellar populations of galaxies in the core of Abell 2218"](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2966.2007.11335.x). *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. **376** (1): 125–150. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[astro-ph/0611660](https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0611660). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2007MNRAS.376..125S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007MNRAS.376..125S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.11335.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2966.2007.11335.x). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0035-8711](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0035-8711).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Crawford, C. S.; Allen, S. W.; Ebeling, H.; Edge, A. C.; Fabian, A. C. (1999-07-11). ["The ROSAT Brightest Cluster Sample -- III. Optical spectra of the central cluster galaxies"](https://doi.org/10.1046%2Fj.1365-8711.1999.02583.x). *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. **306** (4): 857–896. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[astro-ph/9903057](https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9903057). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1999MNRAS.306..857C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1999MNRAS.306..857C). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02583.x](https://doi.org/10.1046%2Fj.1365-8711.1999.02583.x). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0035-8711](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0035-8711).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Bildfell, Chris; Hoekstra, Henk; Babul, Arif; Mahdavi, Andisheh (2008-08-26). ["Resurrecting the red from the dead: optical properties of BCGs in X-ray luminous clusters"](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2966.2008.13699.x). *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. **389** (4): 1637–1654. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[0802.2712](https://arxiv.org/abs/0802.2712). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2008MNRAS.389.1637B](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008MNRAS.389.1637B). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13699.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2966.2008.13699.x). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0035-8711](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0035-8711).

## External links

- Abell 2218 BCG on [WikiSky](/source/WikiSky): [DSS2](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=Abell+2218+BCG&img_source=DSS2), [SDSS](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=Abell+2218+BCG&img_source=SDSS), [GALEX](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=Abell+2218+BCG&img_source=GALEX), [IRAS](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=Abell+2218+BCG&img_source=IRAS), [Hydrogen α](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=Abell+2218+BCG&img_source=HALPHA), [X-Ray](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=Abell+2218+BCG&img_source=RASS), [Astrophoto](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=Abell+2218+BCG&img_source=IMG_all), [Sky Map](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=Abell+2218+BCG), [Articles and images](http://www.wikisky.org/starview?object=Abell+2218+BCG)

v t e Constellation of Draco List of stars in Draco Draco in Chinese astronomy Stars Bayer α (Thuban) β (Rastaban) γ (Eltanin) δ (Altais) ε (Tyl) ζ (Aldhibah) η (Athebyne) θ ι (Edasich) κ λ (Giausar) μ (Alrakis) ν (Kuma) ξ (Grumium) ο π ρ σ (Alsafi) τ υ φ χ ψ1 (Dziban) ψ2 ω Flamsteed 4 6 7 (Tianyi) 8 (Taiyi) 10 (i) 15 (A) 18 (g) 19 (h) 26 36 39 (b) 42 (Fafnir) 45 (d) 50 59 64 (e) 68 Variable TW YY AG BY CL CM CX DO EK HP V581 HR 3751 4126 4934 5811 6237 6518 6618 (Alruba) 6817 7137 7783 HD 109246 (Funi) 101364 128717 147379 156279 158259 176693 191939 Other 2MASS 1237+6526 2MASS J17554042+6551277 G 240-72 GD 356 Gliese 420 Gliese 625 Gliese 687 GRW +70 8247 Kepler-4 Kepler-10 Kepler-12 Kepler-90 Kepler-296 KOI-256 LP 71-82 Qatar-1 SDSS J1240+6710 Struve 2398 TOI-1136 WD 1856+534 WISE 1647+5632 WISE 1841+7000 Exoplanets HD 139357 b HD 167042 b ι Dra b (Hypatia) Kepler-4b Kepler-10b c Kepler-12b Kepler-90e f g h i Kepler-296b c d e f TOI-1452 b TrES-2b Star clusters LAMOST 1 Nebulae Cat's Eye Nebula NGC 6742 Galaxies NGC 3147 3197 3735 4121 4125 4221 4236 4319 4331 4332 4363 4441 4513 4545 4589 5678 5777 5866 5866B 5879 5905 5907 5949 5963 5965 5982 5985 6090 6248 6285 6286 6338 6340 6365 6373 6394 6412 6503 6505 6566 6621 6622 6670 6676 6786 6789 Other 1ES 1927+654 1ES 1959+650 3C 249.1 3C 305 3C 319 3C 343 3C 343.1 3C 351 3C 356 3C 371 3C 380 3C 390.3 3C 401 4C +72.26 4C 73.08 8C 1241+735 Abell 2218 BCG Bean galaxy Beaver galaxy BZQ J1727+5510 Draco Dwarf Draco II GB 1508+5714 Goldfish galaxy H1821+643 HFLS3 IERS B1946+708 IRAS F17179+5444 IRAS 18580+6527 J120011.1+680924.8 KKR 25 Markarian 817 Markarian 876 Original TRG PGC 39058 Porphyrion QSO B1823+568 RGZ J172749.5+534647 S5 1803+784 S5 2007+777 SDSS J1715+6008 Tadpole Galaxy UGC 9391 UGC 9405 UGC 11241 UGC 11411 WISEA J145223.62+611707.5 WN B1851+5707 Galaxy clusters Abell 2218 CL1358+62 Draco Supercluster NGC 5866 Group Astronomical events SN 2003jb SN 2005B SN 2016aps Swift J1644+57 Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Abell 2218 BCG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abell_2218_BCG) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abell_2218_BCG?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.