Elliptical Galaxy in Cassiopeia
This is a dwarf elliptical galaxy, a satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy, M31. Many amateur astronmers are familiar with the two nearby satellite galaxies of M31 (M32 and M110), which can be seen in the same telescopic field of view with a low-power eyepiece. NGC 185 is farther away, about 7 degrees from the center of M31 and across the constellation border into Cassiopeia. This elliptical has a bright center with some dark dust clouds visible in the photograph. The outer parts of this galaxy are very dim and diffuse, and it is hard to say exactly where the galaxy ends.
About 1 degree to the west of NGC 185 is NGC 147, another satellite galaxy of M31.
| Magnitude | 9.3 |
| Apparent Size | 8' x 7' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 2.08 million |
| Right Ascension | 0:39.0 |
| Declination | +25 17 |
| Field of View | 29' x 22' |
Image details: Exposure times of 33 minutes luminance and 30 minutes each of red, green and blue, taken with an SBIG STF-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/6.
November 2020