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c57-1
Hubble · Caldwell 57 · NASA, ESA, and J. Cannon (Macalester College); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)

Barnard's Galaxy

Galaxy in Sagittarius · 1.6 million light-years

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TypeGalaxy
ConstellationSagittarius
Right ascension19h 44m 58s
Declination−14° 48′
Object distance1.6 million light-years
Apparent magnitude10.1
Apparent size17.4′ (arc-minutes)
Approx. true diameter8,098 light-years across
Also known asC57 · NGC 6822
Caldwell 57, popularly known as Barnard's Galaxy, is a galaxy (NGC 6822) in the constellation Sagittarius — a distant island of stars far beyond the Milky Way. It appears as number 57 in the Caldwell catalogue, Sir Patrick Moore's 1995 list of 109 bright deep-sky objects for amateur astronomers. It spans roughly 17.4 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 10.1, it shows up in a small backyard telescope.

Although it appears about 17.4′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 8,098 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.

Observing Barnard's Galaxy

Barnard's Galaxy lies in the constellation Sagittarius and is best placed in the evening sky around July. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. Lying near the celestial equator, it can be seen from both hemispheres. A small backyard telescope will show it; binoculars may hint at it under dark skies. Note that the listed magnitude is spread across the whole object — diffuse galaxies and nebulae are often harder to see than the number alone suggests, so dark, moonless skies help a great deal.

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Sources

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