An ultra diffuse galaxy in the NGC 5846 group from the VEGAS survey

Abstract

Context. Many ultra diffuse galaxies (UDGs) have now been identified in clusters of galaxies. However, the number of nearby UDGs suitable for detailed follow-up remain rare. Aims. Our aim is to begin to identify UDGs in the environments of nearby bright early-type galaxies from the VEGAS survey. Methods. Here we use a deep g band image of the NGC 5846 group, taken as part of the VEGAS survey, to search for UDGs. Results. We found one object with properties of a UDG if it associated with the NGC 5846 group, which seems likely. The galaxy, we name NGC 5846_UDG1, has an absolute magnitude of Mg = −14.2, corresponding to a stellar mass of ∼108M⊙. It also reveals a system of compact sources which are likely globular clusters. Based on the number of globular clusters detected we estimate a halo mass that is greater than 8 × 1010M⊙ for UDG1.