Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Cetus (Cet)  ·  Contains:  NGC 255
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NGC 255, Gary Imm
NGC 255, Gary Imm

NGC 255

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
NGC 255, Gary Imm
NGC 255, Gary Imm

NGC 255

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Description

This barred spiral galaxy is located 75 million light years away in the constellation of Cetus at a declination of -11 degrees.  It is a magnitude 11.9 galaxy which spans 2.6 arc-minutes in our apparent view.  This corresponds to a diameter of 60,000 light years.  From our view perspective, the disk is inclined about 15 degrees from face-on.

The asymmetric disk is complex, with a partial star-forming ring surrounding the bright central bar.  The ring is blue with some purple hues.  The outer disk has 1 strong arm and various plumes and fragments.  

Something has disturbed this galaxy.  Perhaps one or several of the many small bright patches in its vicinity are companions. 

The small galaxy cluster seen at upper left is just over 2 billion light years away.

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