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NGC 5248

Galaxy Good (55/100)

Spiral

NGC 5248 Galaxy Boo Visible Level 4 Large telescope (10"+) - Dark skies recommended
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Properties

Magnitude 10.2
Angular Size 4.1′ × 2.4′
Position Angle 120°
Galaxy Type Spiral (SABbc)
B, L, E 150deg , psbMrN

Position & Identifiers

RA 13h 37m 30.0s
Dec +08° 52' 60.0"
Constellation Boo
Catalog NGC 5248

Visibility

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Eyepiece View

200x TFOV: 0.2° Lim. mag: 14.2
N E

NGC 5248 · 4.1′×2.4′ · N up, E left

Surface Brightness & Visibility

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About NGC 5248

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.