Galaxy NGC 2974
History
The galaxy NGC 2974 was discovered by William Herschel on 6 January 1785 using his 18.3-inch reflecting telescope. He listed it as I 61 and noted: «very bright, small, of an irregular figure, 1' north following considerably bright star.» [463] His son John listed the galaxy as h 630, observed it once on sweep 21 (12 March 1826) and noted: «Bright, round, bright middle, a star 9m precedes 3.0s and is south of nebula.» [463].
Ormond Stone found this galaxy again in 1886 at Leander McCormick Observatory using the 26¼-inch refractor (f/14.9), made by Alvan Clark & Sons. He listed it as LM II-406, but made a 1 hour mistake in RA. Dreyer recatalogued it as NGC 2652. [277, 364]
Physical Properties
| Name | RA | Dec | Type | bMag | vMag | B-V | SB | Dim | PA | z | D(z) | MD | Dreyer Description | Identification, Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGC 2652 | 09 42 33.2 | -03 41 57 | dup | 11.9 | 10.9 | 1.0 | 13.0 | 3.4 × 2.1 | 40 | 0.006401 | 27.04 | 25.310 | F, pS, E 50°, gbM stell N, * 9 sp 50" | NGC 2974; MCG 0-25-8; CGCG 7-22; IRAS 09400-0328; UGCA 172 |
| NGC 2974 | 09 42 33.2 | -03 41 57 | Gx (E4) | 11.9 | 10.9 | 1.0 | 13.0 | 3.4 × 2.1 | 40 | 0.006401 | 27.04 | 25.310 | B, cS, iR, bM, * 9 sp 43" | WH I 61; h 630; GC 1904; NGC 2652; MCG 0-25-8; CGCG 7-22; IRAS 09400-0328; UGCA 172 |
Finder Chart
The galaxy NGC 2974 is located in the constellation Sextans. On 13 February it is in opposition with the Sun and is therefore highest in the sky at local midnight.
