🌌 NGC 488 – The Rose of Pisces 🌌

Meet NGC 488, a stunning face-on spiral galaxy nestled in the constellation Pisces. At roughly 98 million light‑years away, its grand, symmetrical arms bloom like cosmic petals, each studded with clusters of newborn stars and glowing nebulae.

Peering into NGC 488 is like wandering through a celestial rose garden—its tightly wound inner arms contrast beautifully with the looser, more delicate outer spirals, offering astronomers a textbook example of early‑type spiral structure. The galaxy’s nearly perfect roundness gives us a clear, unimpeded view of its majestic form, making it a favorite target for both imaging and study.

📍 Constellation: Pisces

🌌 Distance: ~98 million light‑years

✨ Apparent Magnitude: 10.2

📏 Apparent Size: 5.4′ × 3.9′

🧭 Coordinates: RA 01ʰ 19ᵐ 17ˢ | Dec +03° 32′ 18″

Let the elegant arms of NGC 488 remind you that the universe’s artistry extends far beyond our world, weaving intricate patterns across unfathomable distances.

Lights: 45x300" (LRGB)

Telescope: Planewave CDK24

Camera: QHY 600M

Filters: LRGB Astrodon

Processed: Pixinsight (StarXterminator, BlurXterminator, NoiseXterminator)

Date: 05/11/2024