Galaxy NGC 2403
History
The galaxy NGC 2403 was discovered on 1 November 1788 by William Herschel with his 18.7 inch reflecting telescope. He cataloged it as V 44 (class V = very large nebulae) and described it: «Considerably bright, round, very gradually brighter in the middle, bright nucleus 6 or 7' diameter with a faint branch extending a great way to the northern preceeding side not less than 1/2 degree, and to the north or north following the nebulosity diffused over a space not less than a whole degree.» [464] On 2 February 1886 the french astronomer Guillaume Bigourdan pointed the 12.4 inch refractor of the Paris Observatory to this nebula and found within a «very faint, very small» knot, which later became NGC 2404. [277]
Physical Properties
Distance determinations range from 3.1 Mpc to 4.2 Mpc. [145] The galaxy belongs to the M 81 galaxy group. It is home to several H-II star-forming regions, the brightest of which has its own NGC designation: NGC 2404.
| Name | RA | Dec | Type | bMag | vMag | B-V | SB | Dim | PA | z | D(z) | MD | Dreyer Description | Identification, Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGC 2403 | 07 36 50.6 | +65 36 06 | Gx (SBc) | 8.9 | 8.5 | 0.4 | 14.4 | 23.4 × 11.8 | 127 | 0.000437 | 1.85 | 3.580 | !! cB, eL, vmE, vgmbMN | UGC 3918, MCG 11-10-7, CGCG 309-40, IRAS 07321+6543, KARA 197, CGCG 310-3 |
| NGC 2404 | 07 37 07.0 | +65 36 40 | GxyP | 14.5 | 0.4 | 3.580 | vF, vS | HII/Association in N 2403 |
Finder Chart
The galaxy NGC 2403 is located in the constellation Camelopardalis. The best time for observation is from September through March, when it is highest in the night sky.
Visual Observation
Description pending ...