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NGC 495
NGC 495, also occasionally referred to as PGC 5037, UGC 920 or GC 278, is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces.[2] It is located approximately 184 million light-years from the Solar System[4] and was discovered on 12 September 1784 by astronomer William Herschel.[5] Observation historyThe object was discovered by Herschel along with NGC 496 and NGC 499. He initially described the discovery as "Three [NGC 495 along with NGC 496 and 499], eS and F, forming a triangle.". As he observed the trio again the next night, he was able to make out more detail: "Three, forming a [right triangle]; the [right angle] to the south NGC 499, the short leg preceding [NGC 495], the long towards the north [NGC 496]. Those in the legs [NGC 495 and 496] the faintest imaginable; that at the rectangle [NGC 499] a deal larger and brighter, but still very faint."[6] NGC 495 was later also observed by Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz[5] who first noted the object's accurate position. This position is also noted in the New General Catalogue.[6] One supernova has been observed in NGC 495: SN 1999ej (type Ia, mag. 18.1).[7] DescriptionJohn Dreyer, creator of the New General Catalogue, uses Herschel's initial notation to describe the position of NGC 495 ("very faint, small, 1st of 3").[5] Modern observations however call NGC 495 a bright central galaxy with an apparent size of about 1.2' by 0.8'. It also includes fainter outer extensions, about 2.6' by 1.5'.[5] The galaxy is also classified as a barred spiral galaxy of Hubble type SB0-a.[2] See alsoReferences
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to NGC 495.
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