C83
NGC 4945
Object Data
- Catalog Designation
- C83
- Type
- Galaxy
- Constellation
- Centaurus
- Magnitude
- 8.6
- Right Ascension
- 13h 05m 27.4s
- Declination
- -49° 28' 04.8"
- Distance
- 13,000,000 light-years
- Angular Size
- 20
Survey Image
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About C83
Description
NGC 4945 is a bright, edge-on barred spiral galaxy in Centaurus, about 11.7 million light-years away. It is one of the brightest galaxies in the Centaurus A/M83 galaxy group and hosts a Seyfert 2 active nucleus obscured by heavy dust absorption.
Observing Tips
Visible as a bright, elongated streak in a 6-inch telescope. The thick dust lane makes the profile appear asymmetric. Located near Centaurus A (C77). Best from southern latitudes in spring and summer evenings.
History
Discovered by James Dunlop on April 30, 1826 from Australia. X-ray and infrared observations have revealed the hidden active galactic nucleus behind the galaxy's dust-choked central region.
Fun Facts
NGC 4945's central supermassive black hole is accreting matter and producing powerful water maser emission — one of the strongest extragalactic maser sources known, visible at radio wavelengths.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026