The Webb Deep-Sky Society

An international society of amateur and professional astronomers specialising in the observation of double stars and 'deep sky' objects founded in 1967. Membership is open to anyone who shares the interests of the Society.

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  • February 2021 - Picture of the Month

    Spiral Galaxy NGC 2403 in Camelopardalis

    Spiral Galaxy NGC 2403 by David Ratledge
    This image of NGC2403 was provided David Ratledge. You can find more details on David's blog and a larger version by clicking on the image above.

    I've gone for a galaxy this month because we're heading towards season, and besides when was the last time I had one on Picture of the Month (it was May 2020). So if you're going to choose a galaxy it might as well be a spectacular example of its kind.

    I think that NGC 2403, as presented here by David Ratledge, is just that: a bright spiral galaxy actively forming stars and hence supernovae. It's part of the M81 group, and relatively local to us at about 10 million light-years. It's been the subject of more than one APOD, and it was even Galaxy of the Month in January 2013.

    Most importantly it's a galaxy that I've managed to observe from my light polluted home even marking it as worth a revisit. It was caught at relatively low power (x64) with my 10-in scope, as always a darker sky would have been helpful. I didn't catch much detail that night, which explains the note to revisit. So this isn't just another object for astrophotographers.

    James Whinfrey - Website Administrator.

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