NGC 4647
In optical images, the two galaxies disks overlap. This has suggested an ongoing interaction, however images do not reveal any signs of star formation which would have been caused by a tidal interaction between the two galaxies. Recent studies of Hubble images made in 2012 of the two galaxies indicate that tidal interactions between the two have just begun. The gas in NGC 4647 has been mildly disturbed. The galaxy's location in the Virgo Cluster suggests that might it suffered an effect known as ram-pressure stripping caused by the intracluster medium. Another explanation may be hot gas in the halo of Messier 60. The hot gas in Messier 60 may have increased the pressure of gas on the eastern side of NGC 4647 through either ram-pressure striping or a bow-shock between the two galaxies causing the observed asymmetry of gas in the galaxy. The difficulty is that the galaxies would have to be so close that tidal forces from Messier 60 would cause the disk of NGC 4647 to get ripped apart. On January 25, 1979 a supernova 1979A was discovered in NGC 4647. On 16 April 2022, a Type Ia supernova 2022hrs was discovered.
Interstellar medium of NGC 4647
The galaxy is located on the outskirts of the Virgo Cluster.