NGC 495 | |
---|---|
Observation data ( J2000 [1] epoch) | |
Constellation | Pisces [2] |
Right ascension | 01h 22m 56.0s [3] |
Declination | +33° 28′ 18″ [3] |
Redshift | +0.013679 ± 0.000073 [1] |
Heliocentric radial velocity | (4073 ± 22) km/s [1] |
Distance | 184 Mly [4] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 13.0 [2] |
Characteristics | |
Type | SB0-a [2] |
Apparent size (V) | 1.2' × 0.8' [2] |
Other designations | |
PGC 5037, UGC 920, GC 278, MCG 5-4-35, 2MASS J01225595+3328171, H 3.156, [2] [1] [5] |
NGC 495, also occasionally referred to as PGC 5037, UGC 920 or GC 278, is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces. [2] It is located approximately 184 million light-years from the Solar System [4] and was discovered on 12 September 1784 by astronomer William Herschel. [5]
The object was discovered by Herschel along with NGC 496 and NGC 499. He initially described the discovery as "Three [NGC 495 along with NGC 496 and 499], eS and F, forming a triangle.". As he observed the trio again the next night, he was able to make out more detail: "Three, forming a [right triangle]; the [right angle] to the south NGC 499, the short leg preceding [NGC 495], the long towards the north [NGC 496]. Those in the legs [NGC 495 and 496] the faintest imaginable; that at the rectangle [NGC 499] a deal larger and brighter, but still very faint." [6]
NGC 495 was later also observed by Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz [5] who first noted the object's accurate position. This position is also noted in the New General Catalogue. [6]
One supernova has been observed in NGC 495: SN 1999ej ( type Ia, mag. 18.1). [7]
John Dreyer, creator of the New General Catalogue, uses Herschel's initial notation to describe the position of NGC 495 ("very faint, small, 1st of 3"). [5]
Modern observations however call NGC 495 a bright central galaxy with an apparent size of about 1.2' by 0.8'. It also includes fainter outer extensions, about 2.6' by 1.5'. [5] The galaxy is also classified as a barred spiral galaxy of Hubble type SB0-a. [2]