NGC 485

NGC 485 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Pisces. It is estimated to be approximately 85 million light-years away from Earth.

Characteristics:

NGC 485 is classified as a Sc-type spiral galaxy, indicating a loosely wound spiral structure with relatively small central bulge. It is a member of the Pisces Group, a group of galaxies gravitationally bound together. The galaxy exhibits a prominent disk with ongoing star formation activity, visible through the presence of HII regions (regions of ionized hydrogen gas).

Discovery:

NGC 485 was discovered on January 8, 1828, by the British astronomer John Herschel. He cataloged it as entry number 485 in his New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars (NGC).

Observational Information:

• Right Ascension: 01h 21m 27.6s
• Declination: +07° 05′ 09″
• Apparent Magnitude: ~13.1

Amateur astronomers can observe NGC 485 with moderately sized telescopes under dark sky conditions. While not a particularly bright galaxy, its spiral structure can be discerned with good seeing and sufficient aperture. The galaxy appears as a faint, elongated smudge of light in smaller telescopes.