C45
NGC 5248
Barred Spiral
Properties
Position & Identifiers
Visibility
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About C45
Description
NGC 5248 is a grand-design spiral galaxy in Bootes, about 59 million light-years away. It has two prominent, well-defined spiral arms and a ring of active star formation around its nucleus.
Observing Tips
Visible as a moderately bright, round glow in a 6-inch telescope. Larger scopes may reveal hints of the bright inner ring structure. Best in spring and summer evenings.
History
Discovered by William Herschel on March 15, 1784. The galaxy's nuclear ring of star formation has been studied extensively as an example of circumnuclear starburst activity.
Fun Facts
NGC 5248 contains a spectacular circumnuclear ring of young star clusters about 1,000 light-years in diameter, visible in Hubble images as a glowing necklace of blue star-forming regions.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: Credit Line and Copyright Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona. License: CC BY-SA 3.0 us. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026