NGC 3953
| NGC 3953 | |
|---|---|
NGC 3953 captured in 2026 | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Ursa Major |
| Right ascension | 11h 53m 49.0283s |
| Declination | +52° 19′ 36.480″ |
| Redshift | 0.003502±0.00000200 |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 1,050±1 km/s |
| Distance | 54.10 ± 1.93 Mly (16.588 ± 0.592 Mpc) |
| Group or cluster | M109 Group |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 10.8 |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SB(r)bc |
| Size | 131,200 ly (40.24 kpc) (estimated) |
| Apparent size (V) | 6.9′ × 3.5′ |
| Other designations | |
| IRAS 11511+5236, 2MASX J11534902+5219355, UGC 6870, MCG +09-20-026, PGC 37306, CGCG 269-013 | |
NGC 3953 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is 1,236±13 km/s, which corresponds to a Hubble distance of 59.4 ± 4.2 Mly (18.22 ± 1.29 Mpc). However, 33 non-redshift measurements give a closer mean distance of 54.10 ± 1.93 Mly (16.588 ± 0.592 Mpc). It was discovered by Pierre Méchain on 12 March 1781.
NGC 3953 is known to exhibit an inner ring structure that encircles the bar. NGC 3953 is a member of the M109 Group, a large group of galaxies located within the constellation Ursa Major that may contain over 50 galaxies.