NGC 5248

NGC 5248 (Caldwell 45) is a compact intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Boötes and is notable for the ring structure around its nucleus. These nuclear rings are characterized by “hot spots” of starburst activity where stars form at a much higher rate than usual.

Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is 1437 ± 20 km/s, which corresponds to a Hubble distance of 69.1 ± 4.9 Mly. However, 17 non redshift measurements give a much closer distance of 42.52 ± 3.16 Mly.

It was discovered on 15 April 1784 by German-British astronomer William Herschel.

The galaxy has an apparent magnitude of 10 and can be spotted using a small telescope, though it won’t appear very bright. A larger telescope is needed to make out the galaxy’s spiral arms.

NGC 5248 is a member of the NGC 5248 Group of galaxies, itself one of the Virgo III Groups strung out to the east of the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies.