This object is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation of Camelopardalis. It is fairly small in our sky at an apparent diameter of 6 minutes. This 11th magnitude galaxy is located in the far northern sky at a declination of almost +78 degrees.
For being a well studied galaxy, the distance estimates for this object have a large range from 40 to 80 million light years. This results in an estimated range of diameter from 65,000 to 130,000 light years.
This galaxy is fascinating. The detailed, wide, branching brown dust lanes are beautiful and stand out against the bright core. Just as interesting are the oddly looping galaxy arms which have been distorted wildly out of plane. Our viewing perspective gives us a perfect angle to see these distorted arms.
Scientists are uncertain whether this galaxy is the result of a merger or simply is a disturbed galaxy. One possible encounter candidate is the small bluish spiral galaxy at upper left, NGC 2146a. I like how the bright foreground Milky Way stars provide a rough arcing path between the two galaxies.
An updated, more detail image of this galaxy is shown
here.
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