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C7

NGC 2403

Galaxy Excellent (73/100)

Barred Spiral

C7 Galaxy Camelopardalis Visible Level 5 Expert level - Dark skies recommended
Credit: Image Data - Subaru Telescope (NAOJ), Hubble Legacy Archive; Processing - Robert Gendler. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
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Properties

Magnitude 8.4
Angular Size 19.9′ × 10.1′
Position Angle 126°
Distance 11000000 ly
Galaxy Type Barred Spiral (SABc)
Spiral Galaxy [Distance: 11000000 ly]

Position & Identifiers

RA 07h 36m 51.4s
Dec +65° 35' 60.0"
Constellation Camelopardalis
Catalog C7

Visibility

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About C7

Description

NGC 2403 is a bright spiral galaxy in Camelopardalis, about 8 million light-years away. It is a member of the M81 group and resembles a smaller version of M33, with prominent HII regions and well-defined spiral arms.

Observing Tips

One of the brightest galaxies outside the Messier catalog, visible in binoculars from dark sites as a faint smudge. A 6-inch telescope shows an elongated glow with a brighter core. Larger scopes reveal hints of spiral structure. Best in winter and spring evenings.

History

Discovered by William Herschel on November 1, 1788. In 1954, Allan Sandage used Cepheid variable stars in NGC 2403 to refine the extragalactic distance scale.

Fun Facts

NGC 2403 has produced two observed supernovae: SN 1954J and SN 2004dj. Its giant HII regions rival the Tarantula Nebula in luminosity.

Community Photos (1)

Credit: Image Data - Subaru Telescope (NAOJ), Hubble Legacy Archive; Processing - Robert Gendler. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Credit: Image Data - Subaru Telescope (NAOJ), Hubble Legacy Archive; Processing - Robert Gendler. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Skybred Mar 2, 2026