NGC 2976 is a member of the M81 Group and appears as a pure disk galaxy without prominent spiral arms or a central bulge. Its structure is marked by dark dust lanes and two notable star-forming regions on either side of its center. This galaxy is relatively close and bright for amateur astrophotographers, making it a rewarding but subtle target. Its position near the northern celestial pole means it is visible for most of the year from the northern hemisphere.
Names and Catalog numbers
- NGC 2976 (New General Catalogue)
- UGC 5221 (Uppsala General Catalogue)
- PGC 28120 (Principal Galaxies Catalogue)
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
NGC 2976 is situated in the northern part of Ursa Major, not far from the famous galaxies M81 and M82. It lies about 1° 20′ southwest of Messier 81, making it part of the prominent M81 Group of galaxies. This region of the sky is rich in deep-sky objects, offering astrophotographers the opportunity to capture multiple galaxies in a single wide-field image. Its circumpolar position for much of the northern hemisphere ensures it remains above the horizon for extended periods, making planning for long-exposure sessions more flexible.
Nice to Know
- NGC 2976 is classified as a peculiar dwarf spiral (SAc pec), showing a disk structure with no clear spiral arms, which is unusual for its type.
- It features two prominent star-forming regions, which are visible in both optical and millimeter wavelengths and add interest for multi-wavelength astrophotography.
- The galaxy is part of the M81 Group, one of the nearest galaxy groups to our own Local Group, offering context for wide-field imaging projects.
- NGC 2976 is relatively isolated from strong tidal interactions today, but evidence of past tidal stripping and an extended hydrogen tail can be revealed in deep exposures.
Brightnes, distance and size
NGC 2976 has an apparent magnitude of about 10.8, making it accessible to amateur astrophotographers using modest-sized telescopes. It is located approximately 11.6 million light-years away from Earth. The galaxy spans about 19,500 light-years across, with an apparent size of roughly 5.8 by 3.0 arcminutes in the sky. These attributes make it a compact but rewarding target for imaging, especially when seeking to resolve its subtle disk features and star-forming regions.
