NGC 3938

NGC 3938, also known as Caldwell 71, is a grand design spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. It is a relatively nearby galaxy, situated approximately 61 million light-years from Earth.

NGC 3938 is characterized by its prominent and well-defined spiral arms, which are rich in young, hot, blue stars and star-forming regions. These arms extend far from the galaxy's central bulge, giving it a classic "grand design" spiral appearance. The galaxy has a relatively low surface brightness, making it a challenging target for visual observation through smaller telescopes.

NGC 3938 is a member of the Ursa Major Group, a loose association of galaxies in the Ursa Major constellation. Although part of this group, it is not gravitationally bound to any specific cluster.

The galaxy has been the subject of numerous studies aimed at understanding its star formation history, spiral arm structure, and overall dynamics. Supernovae have been observed within NGC 3938, providing valuable data for studying stellar evolution and the distance scale of the universe. Its relatively face-on orientation allows for detailed analysis of its internal structures.

The apparent magnitude of NGC 3938 is approximately 10.0, making it a moderately bright galaxy for observation. It's typically observed with medium to large sized telescopes.