NGC 2685, also known as the Helix Galaxy or Pancake Galaxy, is a rare polar ring galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major, characterized by a ring of gas, dust, and stars orbiting its central galaxy at a perpendicular angle. This unusual structure, which appears as a "helix" or "pancake," is believed to have formed from a gravitational interaction or merger with another galaxy, creating two distinct, perpendicular planes of rotation. It is classified as a peculiar lenticular galaxy (S0(pec)) and is a key object for studying galaxy evolution.
Type: Polar ring galaxy, lenticular (S0)
Location: Constellation Ursa Major, about 40 million light-years away
Nicknames: Helix Galaxy, Pancake Galaxy, Arp 336
Structure: A central, spindle-like galaxy with a ring of material orbiting perpendicularly to its main disk.
Formation: Thought to be the result of a galactic merger or the capture of material from a smaller galaxy.
Significance: Its rarity and distinct, perpendicular rotation planes make it a valuable object for studying galaxy dynamics and evolution. Image Credit International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/L. Bassino
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