C72
NGC 55
Object Data
- Catalog Designation
- C72
- Type
- Galaxy
- Constellation
- Sculptor
- Magnitude
- 8.0
- Right Ascension
- 00h 14m 57.6s
- Declination
- -39° 11' 45.6"
- Distance
- 7,000,000 light-years
- Angular Size
- 32
Survey Image
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About C72
Description
NGC 55 is a large, edge-on barred irregular galaxy in Sculptor, about 6.5 million light-years away. It spans an impressive 32 arcminutes and is a member of the Sculptor Group, similar in many ways to the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Observing Tips
A large, bright galaxy visible in binoculars from dark sites as an elongated streak. A telescope at low power shows the asymmetric brightness profile. Best from southern latitudes in autumn evenings.
History
Discovered by James Dunlop on July 7, 1826 from Australia. NGC 55 and NGC 300 form a gravitationally bound pair within the Sculptor Group, similar to the LMC-SMC pair in our Local Group.
Fun Facts
Despite being classified as edge-on, NGC 55 may actually be a barred galaxy seen at a moderately high inclination. It has active star formation concentrated in a bright bar-like central region.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026