IC 239
At a distance of 30-40 million light years IC 239 is not terribly distant. However, its low (surface) brightness may indicate that this galaxy isn't as massive as many others of the same type (M101 for example). The bright foreground stars of our own galaxy make detecting the delicate structure of this face-on spiral a difficult venture. There are hints of bluish spiral arms with a myriad of pink nebulae (star forming regions). If we lived in this galaxy, our sun would orbit the galactic center at a speed of 280km/s. This is a bit faster than our speed in the Milky Way at around 220km/s.
This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.
Credit:KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Sharon Kempton and Karen Brister/Adam Block
About the Image
| Id: | noao-ic239kempton |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | Feb. 19, 2014, 9:34 a.m. |
| Size: | 1359 x 943 px |
About the Object
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 2 36 35.10 |
| Position (Dec): | 39° 2' 9.96" |
| Field of view: | 11.69 x 8.11 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 93.7° right of vertical |
Colors & filters
| Band | Wave-length | Tele-scope |
|---|---|---|
| Optical B | 438 nm | Visitor Center 0.5-meter Telescope Other CCD |
| Optical G | 475 nm | Visitor Center 0.5-meter Telescope Other CCD |
| Optical R | 625 nm | Visitor Center 0.5-meter Telescope Other CCD |
| Optical Broad Band | 555 nm | Visitor Center 0.5-meter Telescope Other CCD |