NGC 3285 is a barred spiral galaxy located approximately 200 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra. It was discovered by astronomer John Herschel on March 24, 1835. The galaxy is a member of the Hydra Cluster.
Observation Data (J2000 epoch):
- Constellation: Hydra
- Right ascension: 10h 33m 35.8s
- Declination: −27° 27′ 16″
- Redshift: 0.011268
- Heliocentric radial velocity: 3,378 km/s
- Distance: 200 million light-years (61.3 Mpc)
- Apparent magnitude (V): 13.05
- Type: SB(s)a pec (barred spiral with peculiar features)
- Estimated size: ~171,100 light-years (52.46 kpc)
- Apparent size (V): 2.6 × 1.5 arcminutes
Other designations: ESO 501-15, AM 1031-271, IRAS 10312-2711, MCG -4-25-19, PGC 31217
NGC 3285 is classified as a barred spiral galaxy with peculiar characteristics (SB(s)a pec). With an apparent visual magnitude of 13.05, it is faint and requires a telescope with an aperture of at least 8 inches (200 mm) or more to be observed visually. The galaxy is situated south of the celestial equator, making it more easily visible from the southern hemisphere.
