C7
NGC 2403
Object Data
- Catalog Designation
- C7
- Type
- Galaxy
- Constellation
- Camelopardalis
- Magnitude
- 8.4
- Right Ascension
- 07h 36m 51.4s
- Declination
- +65° 35' 60.0"
- Distance
- 11,000,000 light-years
- Angular Size
- 26
Survey Image
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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)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026