Object Analysis

The Fornax Dwarf is an elliptical dwarf galaxy in the constellation Fornax. It is a satellite of the Milky Way, located 460,000 light-years away. It was discovered by Harlow Shapley in 1938.

Despite being a small satellite, Fornax contains six globular clusters of its own. The most famous, NGC 1049, was actually discovered before the galaxy itself. This is remarkable for such a small galaxy and challenges theories about how globular clusters form.

The galaxy is receding from us at 53 km/s. It is composed primarily of old Population II stars, but recent studies have shown it experienced a burst of star formation as recently as 100 million years ago, likely triggered by a close pass to the Milky Way.