| NGC253 / Galaxy, type SAB(s)c: II |
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| R.A. | 00h 47m 36.0s (2000.0) |
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| Dec. | -25° 17' 00" (2000.0) |
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| Apparent Size | 27.5×6.8' |
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| Radial Velocity | +251km/s |
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| Magnitude | 7.7 |
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| Distance | 10.4 million light yrs. |
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| Group of Galaxies | Sculptor Group |
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| Other IDs | ESO474-29, MCG-4-3-9,
UGCA13, PGC02789 |
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The constellation of Sculptor is a very minor one just south of Cetus.
Though Sculptor includes no bright stars, but NGC253 is a large and bright galaxy in autumnal southern skies,
and the galaxy is more popular than the constellation in that the galaxy is included.
The galaxy can be found easily by following about 7 degrees south from beta Ceti that marks the tail of Cetus.
You'll notice a large dimmed light being an ellipse only with portable binoculars.
NGC253 has a length of 27 arc minutes, a bit shorter than the apparent diameter of full-moon, looks like a shrinked Andromeda Galaxy (M31).
The central nucleus is brightening, and the parts of spirals are stretched clearly toward NE and SW, it should be a very splendid view through small scopes.
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