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C21

NGC 4449

Galaxy Excellent (61/100)

Irregular

C21 Galaxy Canes Venatici Visible Level 3 Medium telescope (6-8") - Dark skies recommended
Credit: NASA, ESA, A. Aloisi (STScI/ESA), and The Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration. License: Public domain. (Wikimedia Commons)
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Properties

Magnitude 9.4
Angular Size 4.7′ × 2.7′
Position Angle 51°
Distance 10000000 ly
Galaxy Type Irregular (IB)
Irregular Galaxy [Distance: 10000000 ly]

Position & Identifiers

RA 12h 28m 11.0s
Dec +44° 05' 34.8"
Constellation Canes Venatici
Catalog C21

Visibility

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About C21

Description

NGC 4449 is an irregular dwarf galaxy in Canes Venatici, about 12 million light-years away. It is undergoing a galaxy-wide starburst, producing new stars at a prodigious rate throughout its entire body rather than just in a central region.

Observing Tips

Visible as a small, rectangular glow in a 4-inch telescope. Higher magnification reveals a mottled texture from the numerous HII regions. Best observed in spring evenings when Canes Venatici is high.

History

Discovered by William Herschel on April 27, 1788. It is considered a Magellanic-type irregular galaxy similar in many ways to the Large Magellanic Cloud.

Fun Facts

NGC 4449 is one of the best-studied starburst dwarf galaxies. It is currently consuming a smaller companion galaxy, making it one of the few cases where dwarf galaxy cannibalism has been directly observed.

Community Photos (1)

Credit: NASA, ESA, A. Aloisi (STScI/ESA), and The Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration. License: Public domain. (Wikimedia Commons)

Credit: NASA, ESA, A. Aloisi (STScI/ESA), and The Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration. License: Public domain. (Wikimedia Commons)

Skybred Mar 2, 2026