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NGC 4874

Coma 1

Proper NameNone
Messier NumberNone
NGC/IC NumberNGC 4874
Other DesignationsComa 1
ConstellationComa Berenices
Right Ascension12h 59m 36s
Declination+27° 57' 33"
Distancec.324,900,000 light years
c.99,600,000 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +13.47
Absolute: -21.69
DiameterApparent: 0.7'
Actual: 68,000 light years (halo extends for some 500,000 light years from the nucleus)
Hubble TypeE0 Elliptical
Optimum VisibilityApril
NotesA vast elliptical galaxy, one of two that dominate the busy Coma Cluster in Coma Berenices. The other large galaxy in this area is Coma B (NGC 4889), and some sources assign the name 'Coma A' to NGC 4874. Formally, however, 'Coma A' refers to a distinct radio source somewhat to the west of both of these major galaxies.

NGC 4874 is one of the largest galaxies known, with its halo extending outward to create an elliptical form approximately a million light years in diameter. It is one of two immense galaxies that dwarf the other members of the Coma Cluster, the other being Coma B or NGC 4889 seen to the east in this image. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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