Galaxies in Fornax
The spiral galaxy NGC 1380 and the other galaxies in this field are on the northern edge of a group known as the Fornax galaxy cluster. Fornax, the furnace, is a southern constellation that never rises very high in the sky here in Connecticut, and it is only above the horizon for a few hours during winter evenings. This makes it hard to get a good look at this large group of galaxies. Six galaxies listed in the New General Catalog are visible in this picture, plus a scattering of smaller and dimmer galaxies.
Roll over the image for galaxy labels.
NGC 1380:
| Magnitude | 9.9 |
| Apparent Size | 4.0' x 2.4' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 62 million |
| Right Ascension | 3:36.5 |
| Declination | -34 58 |
| Field of View | 29' x 22' |
Image details: Exposure times of 30 minutes luminance, 15 minutes red, 15 minutes green, and 12 minutes blue, taken with an SBIG ST-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/6.
December 2016