# ESO 444-46

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Galaxy in the constellation Centaurus

ESO 444-46 HST image of the elliptical galaxy ESO 444-46. Observation data (J2000 epoch) Constellation Centaurus Right ascension 13h 27m 56.9ss[1] Declination −31° 29′ 44″[1] Redshift 0.046902±0.000070[1] Heliocentric radial velocity 14,061±21 km/s[1] Galactocentric velocity 13,921±22 km/s[1] Distance 654.9 ± 45.99 Mly (200.8 ± 14.1 Mpc)h−1 0.6774 (Comoving)[1] 667 Mly (204.5 Mpc)h−1 0.6774 (Light-travel) Group or cluster Abell 3558 Apparent magnitude (V) 12.6[1] Characteristics Type cD;E+4;BrClG[1] Size 670,710 ly × 382,320 ly (205.64 kpc × 117.22 kpc) (diameter; 27.0 B-mag arcsec−2)[1][a] 450,940 ly × 315,650 ly (138.26 kpc × 96.78 kpc) (diameter; "total" magnitude)[1][a] Apparent size (V) 1.7′ × 1.2′[1] Notable features Large globular cluster population Other designations ESO 444- G 046[1], Shapley 8-1[1], MCG −05-32-026[1], PGC 047202[1]

**ESO 444-46** (**Shapley 8-1**, **A3558-M1 or ESO 444-G 046**) is a class E4 [supergiant](/source/CD_galaxy) [elliptical galaxy](/source/Elliptical_galaxy);[2] the dominant and brightest member of the Abell 3558 [galaxy cluster](/source/Galaxy_cluster) around 200.8 ± 14.1 [megaparsecs](/source/Parsec#Megaparsecs_and_gigaparsecs) (654.9 ± 45.99 million [light-years](/source/Light-year)) away in the [constellation](/source/Constellation) [Centaurus](/source/Centaurus_(constellation)).[2][3][4][1] It lies within the core of the massive [Shapley Supercluster](/source/Shapley_Supercluster) (Shapley Concentration), one of the closest neighboring [superclusters](/source/Supercluster).[5] It is one of the [largest galaxies](/source/List_of_largest_galaxies) in the [local universe](/source/Observable_universe), and possibly contains one of the [most massive black holes](/source/List_of_most_massive_black_holes) known. The [black hole](/source/Black_hole)'s mass is very uncertain of 26.9+50.7 −26.4 billion [solar masses](/source/Solar_mass) ([M☉](/source/Solar_mass)), (with estimates ranging from as low as 501 million [M☉](/source/Solar_mass), to as high as 77.6 billion M☉).[6][7]

## Physical characteristics

### Globular clusters

ESO 444-46 has an estimated population of about 27,000 [globular clusters](/source/Globular_clusters) which may be one of the largest populations ever studied. This is in contrast to 15,000 globular clusters in [Messier 87](/source/Messier_87), and 200 in the [Milky Way](/source/Milky_Way). However, this large number may be due to the addition of [Intracluster globular clusters](/source/Intracluster_globular_clusters) since the galaxy lies about 1 arcmin of the center of Abell 3558.[8]

### Supermassive black hole

A calculation using the spheroidal luminosity method by estimating the stellar density of the central region using its brightness, yielded a initial mass of 77.6 billion solar masses (with the range being 22 billion M☉ to 270 billion M☉).[6][7] This would make it one of the [most massive black holes](/source/List_of_most_massive_black_holes) known – nearly twelve times the mass of the black hole in Messier 87, and 18,000 times more massive than [Sagittarius A*](/source/Sagittarius_A*) (Sgr A*), the Milky Way's central black hole. A black hole of this mass has a [Schwarzschild radius](/source/Schwarzschild_radius) of 1,530 [AU](/source/Astronomical_unit) (about 461 billion km in diameter) or 102 times the distance between [Neptune](/source/Neptune) and the [Sun](/source/Sun).

Alternative calculations using the [M-sigma relation](/source/M-sigma_relation) and the newer core break radius method yielded estimates of 501 million M☉ and 26.9+50.7 −26.4 billion M☉, respectively.[6][7]

## See also

- [List of galaxies](/source/List_of_galaxies)

- [List of nearest galaxies](/source/List_of_nearest_galaxies)

- [List of NGC objects (4001–5000)](/source/List_of_NGC_objects_(4001%E2%80%935000))

- [List of spiral galaxies](/source/List_of_spiral_galaxies)

- [NGC 4889](/source/NGC_4889)

- [NGC 4874](/source/NGC_4874)

- [IC 1101](/source/IC_1101)

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Size_correction_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Size_correction_2-1) The quick-look major axis physical diameters given by NED of 183.41 by 104.55 kiloparsecs (598,000 by 341,000 light-years) and 123.32 by 86.32 kiloparsecs (402,000 by 282,000 light-years) were based on a distance estimate of 179.0 ± 45.255 megaparsecs (583.8 ± 147.6 million light-years). The quoted diameters in this infobox were based on NED's provided scale "[Virgo](/source/Virgo_Supercluster) + [GA](/source/Great_Attractor) + [Shapley](/source/Shapley_Supercluster)" of 973 parsecs/arcsec multiplied by the given angular diameters.

## 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) [***k***](#cite_ref-ned_1-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-ned_1-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-ned_1-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-ned_1-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-ned_1-14) [***p***](#cite_ref-ned_1-15) ["Detailed Information for Object ESO 444- G 046"](https://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/cgi-bin/objsearch?objname=ESO%20444-46&extend=no&hconst=67.74&omegam=0.3089&omegav=0.6911&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). *[NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database](/source/NASA%2FIPAC_Extragalactic_Database)*. Retrieved 2018-04-12.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-User_2018_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-User_2018_3-1) ["Central Shapley Supercluster (Abell 3558)"](http://chart32.de/component/k2/galaxies/central-shapley-supercluster-abell-3558). *chart32.de*. Retrieved 2018-04-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Loubser, S. I.; Sansom, A. E.; Sánchez-Blázquez, P.; Soechting, I. K.; Bromage, G. E. (2008-12-11). ["Radial kinematics of brightest cluster galaxies"](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2966.2008.13813.x). *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. **391** (3): 1009–1028. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[0808.1521](https://arxiv.org/abs/0808.1521). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2008MNRAS.391.1009L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008MNRAS.391.1009L). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13813.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2966.2008.13813.x). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0035-8711](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0035-8711). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [9364497](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:9364497).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["ESO 444-46"](http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=ESO+444-46&submit=submit+id). Retrieved 2018-04-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["The Shapley Supercluster"](http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/superc/shapley.html). *www.atlasoftheuniverse.com*. Retrieved 2018-04-12.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dullo2019_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dullo2019_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dullo2019_7-2) Dullo, B.T. (22 November 2019). ["The Most Massive Galaxies with Large Depleted Cores: Structural Parameter Relations and Black Hole Masses"](https://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Fab4d4f). *The Astrophysical Journal*. **886** (2): 80. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[1910.10240](https://arxiv.org/abs/1910.10240). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2019ApJ...886...80D](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019ApJ...886...80D). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3847/1538-4357/ab4d4f](https://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Fab4d4f). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [204838306](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:204838306).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dullo2021a_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dullo2021a_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dullo2021a_8-2) Dullo, B.T.; de Paz, A.G.; Knapen, J.H. (18 February 2021). ["Ultramassive black holes in the most massive galaxies: MBH−σ versus MBH−Rb"](https://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Fabceae). *The Astrophysical Journal*. **908** (2): 134. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[2012.04471](https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.04471). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2021ApJ...908..134D](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021ApJ...908..134D). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3847/1538-4357/abceae](https://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Fabceae). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [227745078](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:227745078).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Barber DeGraaff, Regina Grace (August 2011). ["A Study of Globular Cluster Systems in the Shapley Supercluster Region with the Hubble Space Telescope"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210909232500/https://research.libraries.wsu.edu:8443/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2376/3008/BarberDeGraaff_wsu_0251E_10242.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y) (PDF). *Washington State University Libraries*. Archived from [the original](https://research.libraries.wsu.edu:8443/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2376/3008/BarberDeGraaff_wsu_0251E_10242.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y) (PDF) on 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2018-04-12.

## External links

- ESO 444-46 on [WikiSky](/source/WikiSky): [DSS2](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=ESO+444-46&img_source=DSS2), [SDSS](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=ESO+444-46&img_source=SDSS), [GALEX](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=ESO+444-46&img_source=GALEX), [IRAS](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=ESO+444-46&img_source=IRAS), [Hydrogen α](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=ESO+444-46&img_source=HALPHA), [X-Ray](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=ESO+444-46&img_source=RASS), [Astrophoto](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=ESO+444-46&img_source=IMG_all), [Sky Map](http://www.wikisky.org/?object=ESO+444-46), [Articles and images](http://www.wikisky.org/starview?object=ESO+444-46)

v t e Constellation of Centaurus List of stars in Centaurus Centaurus in Chinese astronomy Stars Bayer α A (Rigil Kentaurus) B (Toliman) C (Proxima Centauri) β (Hadar) γ δ ε ζ (Leepwal) η θ (Menkent) ι (Kulou) κ λ μ ν (Heng) ξ1 ξ2 ο1 ο2 π ρ σ τ υ1 υ2 φ χ ψ x1 x2 C3 D E F G H J K M N Q Flamsteed 1 (i) 2 (g) 3 (k) 4 (h) Variable R T V Y RR SV SX BV DY UY V346 V553 V744 V752 V761 (a) V763 (C1) V766 V779 (Krzemiński's star) V803 V810 V816 (Przybylski's Star) V831 V842 V885 V886 V863 V1032 V1369 V1400 V1935 HR 4460 (A) 4466 (C2) 4499 4522 4523 4537 (j) 4546 (B) 4721 4748 (u) 4796 4817 (l) 4831 (w) 4874 (p) 4888 (e) 4889 (n) 4940 (f) 4979 4989 5006 (r) 5041 (m) 5089 (d) 5174 (z) 5222 (y) 5224 5241 5297 5358 (v) 5371 5471 (b) 5485 (c1) 5489 (c2) HD 97413 98176 100453 101581 101930 102117 (Uklun) 103197 107914 108236 109749 110113 113538 113766 114386 114729 115600 116434 (Matza) 117207 117618 (Dofida) 117939 120411 121228 121504 124448 (Popper's Star) 125072 125595 131399 Other 2MASS J1126−5003 2M1207 Gaia BH2 HD 131399 Ab PSR B1259−63 PSR J1311−3430 TOI-763 WASP-15 (Nyamien) WASP-41 WASP-42 WASP-167/KELT-13 Exoplanets 2M1207b b Centauri b HD 101930 b HD 102117 b (Leklsullun) HD 103197 b HD 109749 b HD 113538 b c HD 114386 b HD 114729 b HD 117207 b HD 117618 b (Noifasui) HD 121504 b HIP 65426 b (Najsakopajk) HIP 67522 b NGTS-13b Proxima Centauri b c d WASP-15b (Asye) Star clusters NGC 3766 4230 4507 5281 5286 5316 5460 5617 5662 Other IC 2944 ω Centauri Scorpius–Centaurus association Stock 16 Nebulae NGC 3918 5307 Other Boomerang Nebula Fleming 1 G292.0+1.8 G306.3-0.9 Gum 41 IC 2944 IRAS 13208−6020 RCW 79 RCW 86 Southern Crab Nebula SuWt 2 Galaxies NGC 3557 3568 3749 3783 4444 4603 4622 4650A 4683 4696 4706 4709 4729 4730 4743 4744 4909 4930 4945 4976 5011 A 5026 5064 5082 5090 5091 5102 5114 5121 5128 (Centaurus A) 5161 5206 5253 5266 5291 5398 5408 5419 5483 5516 Other ESO 269-57 ESO 325-4 ESO 383-76 ESO 444-46 Fourcade-Figueroa Object IC 3370 IC 4214 IC 4329A IRAS 13224−3809 J1144−4308 LEDA 677373 PKS 1144−379 PKS 1353−341 PKS 1424−418 Galaxy clusters Abell S740 Centaurus Cluster Shapley Supercluster Astronomical events GW190521 SN 185 SN 1895B (Z) SN 1972E SN 1986G J1407b SN 2019so Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [ESO 444-46](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESO_444-46) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESO_444-46?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.