Sections

Catalogues

Tools and Links

Galactic Map

Show the direction and distance to this galaxy on the Galactic Map.

NGC 4874

Coma 1

Elliptical Galaxy in Coma Berenices

Show on Sky Map

Proper Name	None
Messier Number	None
NGC/IC Number	NGC 4874
Other Designations	Coma 1
Constellation	Coma Berenices
Right Ascension	12h 59m 36s
Declination	+27° 57' 33"
Distance	c.324,900,000 light years c.99,600,000 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +13.47 Absolute: -21.69
Diameter	Apparent: 0.7' Actual: 68,000 light years (halo extends for some 500,000 light years from the nucleus)
Hubble Type	E0 Elliptical
Optimum Visibility	April
Notes	A vast elliptical galaxy, one of two that dominate the busy Coma Cluster in Coma Berenices. The other large galaxy in this area is Coma B (NGC 4889), and some sources assign the name 'Coma A' to NGC 4874. Formally, however, 'Coma A' refers to a distinct radio source somewhat to the west of both of these major galaxies.

NGC 4874 is one of the largest galaxies known, with its halo extending outward to create an elliptical form approximately a million light years in diameter. It is one of two immense galaxies that dwarf the other members of the Coma Cluster, the other being Coma B or NGC 4889 seen to the east in this image. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

Indexes

Related Entries

v2.1g