H-NGC4414
Galaxy in Coma Berenices
About
A flocculent spiral in Coma Berenices, about 62 million light-years away and roughly 82,500 light-years across, nicknamed the Dusty Spiral. Hubble observed its Cepheid variable stars while measuring galaxy distances. It is isolated, with no sign of past interactions, and belongs to the Coma I Group.
Imaging tips
- Only about 4×2′, so it is too small to frame: use a long focal length and a fine pixel scale.
- At 21 mag/arcsec² it is not a faint-surface-brightness target, so colour from broadband data is the natural route.
- Its outer arms look blue from ongoing young star formation, and atomic hydrogen extends well beyond the visible disk.
- Best around March and April; it peaks near 71° altitude from 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 4′ × 2′
- Magnitude
- 10.1
- Coordinates
- RA 12h 26.5m, Dec +31° 13′
- Framing, APS-C
- longer than 4000 mm
- Framing, full frame
- longer than 4000 mm
- Best months
- Mar, Apr
- Peak altitude
- 71° from 50°N, 86° from 35°N