Cetus A
spiral galaxy · Cetus · 8.8ᵐ
A Messier catalogue object — spiral galaxy in Cetus.
Notable facts
About 1/4 the apparent diameter of the Moon.
In brief
Which constellation is Cetus A in?
Cetus A lies in Cetus.
Is Cetus A visible to the naked eye?
8.8ᵐ — a telescope is needed.
When is the best time to observe Cetus A?
Best observed in October.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 2h 43m · −0° 01′
- Type
- spiral galaxy
- Constellation
- Cetus
- How to observe
- 8.8ᵐ — a telescope is needed
- Angular size
- 7×6′
- Designation
- M77 · NGC 1068 · Cetus A
Observing tip
Get away from city light pollution — it washes out the faint glow of galaxies first.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 30° | 90° |
| +55° | 35° | 90° |
| +45° | 45° | 90° |
| +30° | 60° | 90° |
| 0° | 90° | 90° |
| −35° | 55° | 90° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 18:57 |
| February | 16:50 |
| March | 15:05 |
| April | 13:11 |
| May | 11:17 |
| June | 09:11 |
| July | 07:07 |
| August | 05:06 |
| September | 03:13 |
| October | 01:24 |
| November | 23:23 |
| December | 21:15 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.