Galaxy NGC 846
History
French astronomer Jean Marie Édouard Stephan discovered the galaxy NGC 846 on 2 November 1875 using the 31-inch Foucault reflector at Marseille observatory. His published accurate position was measured on 22 November 1876 with description: «Extremely faint, extremely small, round, gradually brighter in the middle.» Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 30 November 1885 using the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory, Rochester and reported it as new in his 3rd list, #9 (later NGC 847). So, NGC 846 = NGC 847, with discovery priority to Stephan. [364]
On 4 November 1875 Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 812. His accurate published position (list 8b, #3) was made on 11 December 1876 with description: «Extremely faint, thin shape, extended 45° with the meridian [135°], 1.5' length, bright middle, difficult observation.» [364]
Physical Properties
| Name | RA | Dec | Type | bMag | vMag | B-V | SB | Dim | PA | z | D(z) | Dreyer Description | Identification, Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGC 812 | 02 06 51.7 | +44 34 21 | Gx (Sbc) | 12.1 | 11.3 | 0.8 | 11.8 | 2.2 × 0.8 | 160 | 0.017222 | 72.74 | eF, pL, E 45°, bM | GC 5214; UGC 1598; MCG 7-5-14; CGCG 538-19; IRAS 02037+4419 |
| NGC 846 | 02 12 12.1 | +44 34 05 | Gx (SBab) | 12.9 | 12.1 | 0.8 | 13.2 | 1.9 × 1.7 | 140 | 0.017072 | 72.11 | eF, vS, R, gbM | GC 5226; NGC 847; UGC 1688; MCG 7-5-24; CGCG 538-32; IRAS 02090+4420 |
| NGC 847 | 02 12 12.1 | +44 34 05 | dup | 12.9 | 12.1 | 0.8 | 13.2 | 1.9 × 1.7 | 140 | 0.017072 | 72.11 | vF, pL, R | NGC 846; UGC 1688; MCG 7-5-24; CGCG 538-32; IRAS 02090+4420 |
Finder Chart
The galaxy NGC 846 is located in the constellation Andromeda. On 28 October it is in opposition to the Sun and crosses the meridian at local midnight.
Visual Observation
400 mm Aperture: At low magnification (21 mm Ethos, 85×), NGC 846 appears as a faint, oval patch. At higher magnification (13 mm Ethos, 225×), one feels as though one can discern a little more. There is no sign of any spiral arms. — 400 mm f/4.5 Taurus Dobsonian, Falera, 11. 9. 2026, SQM-L 21.2, little windy, Bernd Nies
