Galaxy in Pisces
NGC 488 is a face-on spiral galaxy. Its most striking features are its long tightly-wound spiral arms. Its estimated diameter is about 170,000 light years, which is 70% larger than our own Milky Way galaxy.
As this image shows, the region around NGC 488 contains many smaller (more distant) galaxies of various sizes and shapes. Among these are three other galaxies from the New General Catalog and several from the Principal Galaxy Catalog. Roll over the image for identifications of some of the other galaxies. These galaxies have magnitudes ranging from about 14 to 18, and the brighter ones are potentially visible through amateur telescopes.
NGC 488:
| Magnitude | 10.4 |
| Apparent Size | 5.4' x 3.9' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 100 million |
| Right Ascension | 1:21.8 |
| Declination | +15 24 |
| Field of View | 29' x 22' |
Image details: Exposure times of 66 minutes luminance and 30 minutes each of red, green, and blue, taken with an SBIG ST-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/6.
November 2016