Phantom Galaxy (M74)
Also known as M74 · M 74 · Phantom Galaxy · NGC 628
Phantom Galaxy (M74) is a galaxy in the constellation Pisces, about 31.64 million light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Galaxy (shape Sc) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Pisces |
| Position (J2000) | 1h 36m 41s, +15° 47′ |
| Distance | 31.64 million light-years (its light set off about 31.64 million years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 9.46 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 6.7′ × 6.7′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.) |
| Studied in | 1,989 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Phantom Galaxy (M74) is highest in the sky at midnight in October. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 86° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 56°. To see it you need a small telescope.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Pisces
Everything in Pisces · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits