Observation by Peter Goodhew FRAS: NGC 2685 - The Helix Polar Ring GalaXY

Uploaded by

Peter Goodhew FRAS

Observer

Peter Goodhew FRAS

Observed

2026 Jan 07 - 17:11

Uploaded

2026 Jan 07 - 17:14

Objects

The Helix Galaxy (NGC2685)

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Constellation

Ursa Major

Field centre

RA: 08^h55^m
Dec: +58°44'
Position angle: -0°01'

Field size

0°09' × 0°09'

Equipment

APM TMB LZOS 152 refractors
QHYCCD QHY268 MM Pro cameras
10micron GM2000 HPS mount

Exposure

90 hours 42 minutes LRGB integration

Location

Fregenal de la Sierra, Spain

Target name

NGC 2685

Title

NGC 2685 - The Helix Polar Ring GalaXY

About this image

The Helix Galaxy (NGC 2685) is a rare, unusual galaxy in Ursa Major known as a polar ring galaxy, featuring a distinct ring of gas, dust, and stars orbiting perpendicular to its flat, lenticular disk, likely formed from material captured from a smaller galaxy, creating a stable, ancient helical structure that's a key subject for studying galaxy evolution. It is 48.2 ± 3.4 million light years from Earth.

Files associated with this observation

NGC2685 crop.jpg (63.6 kB)

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Anton Matthews, Alan Dowdell, Martin Lewis, Ian Jarrett, Dominic Ford

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