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NGC 891

Galaxy Good (59/100)

Spiral

NGC 891 Galaxy Andromeda (And) Visible Level 5 Expert level - Dark skies recommended
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Properties

Magnitude 10.0
Angular Size 13.0′ × 3.0′
Position Angle 22°
Distance 24.63 million ly
Galaxy Type Spiral (SA(s)b)
! B, vL, vmE 22deg

Position & Identifiers

RA 02h 22m 36.0s
Dec +42° 21' 00.0"
Constellation Andromeda (And)
Catalog NGC 891

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80x TFOV: 0.6° Lim. mag: 14.2
N E

NGC 891 · 13.0′×3.0′ · N up, E left

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About NGC 891

Description

NGC 891 is a spectacular edge-on spiral galaxy in Andromeda, about 30 million light-years away. It is considered one of the best examples of an edge-on galaxy, with a prominent dark dust lane bisecting its disk, giving us a cross-sectional view of a Milky Way-like galaxy.

Observing Tips

Visible as a thin, elongated streak in an 8-inch telescope. The dust lane requires at least a 10-inch scope and good conditions. Low to medium power works best for the 13-arcminute length. Best observed in autumn and winter evenings.

History

Discovered by William Herschel on October 6, 1784. NGC 891 is often compared to our Milky Way because of its similar size, luminosity, and morphological type (Sb spiral).

Fun Facts

Deep images reveal a complex system of dust filaments extending above and below the galaxy's disk plane, likely blown out by supernova explosions. NGC 891 is considered the best analog of how our Milky Way would look from the outside, viewed edge-on.

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