NGC 6384 has a morphological classification of SAB(r)bc,[4] indicating that it is a weakly barred galaxy (SAB) with an inner ring structure (r) orbiting the bar, and moderate to loosely wound spiral arms (bc).[6] The galaxy is inclined by an angle of 47° to the line of sight, along a position angle of 40°.[7] The estimated mass of the stars in this galaxy is 105 billion times the mass of the Sun.[4]
At one time NGC 6384 was considered a normal galaxy with no activity in the nucleus. However, it is now classified as a transition object (T2), which is thought to be a LINER-type galaxy whose emission-line spectra is contaminated by H II regions in the nucleus.[8]
Supernovae
Three supernovae have been observed in NGC 6384. On 24 June 1971, a type Ia supernova event was discovered in this galaxy at 27″ east and 20″ north of the nucleus. It reached a peak visual magnitude of 12.85 around the end of June.[9] Designated SN1971L, it was situated along a spiral arm, suggesting that the progenitor was not a member of the older, more evolved stellar population of the galaxy.[7] On 3 May 2017, SN2017drh (typeIa, mag. 17.9) was discovered.[10] On 23 July 2024, SN2024pxl (typeIax[02cx-like], mag.17.7) was discovered.[11]
^ abSkrutskie, Michael F.; Cutri, Roc M.; Stiening, Rae; Weinberg, Martin D.; Schneider, Stephen E.; Carpenter, John M.; Beichman, Charles A.; Capps, Richard W.; Chester, Thomas; Elias, Jonathan H.; Huchra, John P.; Liebert, James W.; Lonsdale, Carol J.; Monet, David G.; Price, Stephan; Seitzer, Patrick; Jarrett, Thomas H.; Kirkpatrick, J. Davy; Gizis, John E.; Howard, Elizabeth V.; Evans, Tracey E.; Fowler, John W.; Fullmer, Linda; Hurt, Robert L.; Light, Robert M.; Kopan, Eugene L.; Marsh, Kenneth A.; McCallon, Howard L.; Tam, Robert; Van Dyk, Schuyler D.; Wheelock, Sherry L. (1 February 2006). "The Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS)". The Astronomical Journal. 131 (2): 1163–1183. Bibcode:2006AJ....131.1163S. doi:10.1086/498708. ISSN0004-6256. S2CID18913331.
^Barbon, R.; et al. (1973), "Observations of five supernovae 1970-71", Memorie della Società Astronomia Italiana, 44: 65–85, Bibcode:1973MmSAI..44...65B.