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c24-1-2
Hubble · Caldwell 24 · NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration; Acknowledgment: A. Fabian (Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, UK)

Perseus A

Galaxy in Perseus · 243.126 million light-years (est. from redshift)

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TypeGalaxy
ConstellationPerseus
Right ascension3h 19m 48s
Declination+41° 31′
Object distance243.126 million light-years (est. from redshift)
Apparent magnitude12.2
Apparent size2.2′ (arc-minutes)
Approx. true diameter155,589 light-years across
Also known asC24 · NGC 1275
Caldwell 24, popularly known as the Perseus A, is a galaxy (NGC 1275) in the constellation Perseus — a distant island of stars far beyond the Milky Way. It appears as number 24 in the Caldwell catalogue, Sir Patrick Moore's 1995 list of 109 bright deep-sky objects for amateur astronomers. It spans roughly 2.2 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 12.2, it is a fainter object best hunted with a moderate telescope under dark skies.

Although it appears about 2.2′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 155,589 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.

Observing Perseus A

Perseus A lies in the constellation Perseus and is best placed in the evening sky around November. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the northern hemisphere, and sits low for those far south. It is faint — plan for a moderate telescope and a dark, moonless sky. 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.

See Perseus A in Universe Finder

Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Perseus A and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →

Sources

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