NGC 247

NGC 247 is a relatively small intermediate spiral galaxy in the southern constellation of Cetus (The Whale). This galaxy lies at a distance of around 11 million light-years from Earth, and is approx. 70,000 light years in diameter.

It forms part of the Sculptor Group, a loose collection of galaxies that also contains the more famous NGC 253 (otherwise known as the Sculptor Galaxy).

NGC 247’s nucleus is visible here as a bright, whitish patch, surrounded by a mixture of stars, gas and dust. The dust forms dark patches and filaments that are silhouetted against the background of stars, while the gas has formed into knots known as H II regions (starforming regions), mostly scattered throughout the galaxy’s arms and outer areas.

NGC 247 has an unusually large void on one side of its spiral disk. This void contains some older, redder stars but no younger, bluer stars.

Processed as LRGB - incorporating L & Ha to create Superluminance file