NGC 44

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NGC 44
Observation data
Epoch J2000        Equinox J2000
Constellation Andromeda
Right ascension  00h 13m 14.0s
Declination +31° 17 26 [1]
Apparent magnitude  (V)14 [2]

NGC 44 is a binary star system (both type F4) located in the Andromeda constellation. It was first recorded by John Herschel on November 22, 1827. He noted "not to be seen but in the clearest night" and that it was "extremely faint, very small". [1] Although the stars appear to be at a similar distance, their motion is extremely different from each other. The eastern star is approximately 3430±200 light-years away, while the western star is approximately 3440±210 light-years away. While the distances seem similar, the error bars mean the stars could just as easily be 3230 and 3650 light-years from the Sun, or 3630 and 3230 light-years from the Sun.

Binary star star system consisting of two stars

A binary star is a star system consisting of two stars orbiting around their common barycenter. Systems of two or more stars are called multiple star systems. These systems, especially when more distant, often appear to the unaided eye as a single point of light, and are then revealed as multiple by other means. Research over the last two centuries suggests that half or more of visible stars are part of multiple star systems.

Andromeda (constellation) Constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere

Andromeda is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century Greco-Roman astronomer Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. Located north of the celestial equator, it is named for Andromeda, daughter of Cassiopeia, in the Greek myth, who was chained to a rock to be eaten by the sea monster Cetus. Andromeda is most prominent during autumn evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, along with several other constellations named for characters in the Perseus myth. Because of its northern declination, Andromeda is visible only north of 40° south latitude; for observers farther south, it lies below the horizon. It is one of the largest constellations, with an area of 722 square degrees. This is over 1,400 times the size of the full moon, 55% of the size of the largest constellation, Hydra, and over 10 times the size of the smallest constellation, Crux.

John Herschel 19th-century English mathematician, astronomer, chemist and photographer

Sir John Frederick William Herschel, 1st Baronet was an English polymath, mathematician, astronomer, chemist, inventor, experimental photographer who invented the blueprint, and did botanical work.

Contents

Due to their differing proper motions, the stars were originally further from each other at the time of discovery, ~8.7 arcseconds, compared to today's ~2.8 arcseconds. They will reach their closest apparent separation from each other around 2150, when they will only be separated by roughly 0.72 arcseconds.

See also

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Apus Constellation

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Cetus Constellation straddling the celestial equator

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Canes Venatici constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere

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Delphinus Constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere

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Vela (constellation) Constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere

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Perseus (constellation) Constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere

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Auriga (constellation) Constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere

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Musca constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere

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Draco (constellation) Constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere

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NGC 7662 planetary nebula

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NGC 389 galaxy

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NGC 513 galaxy

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Donatiello I Dwarf spheroidal galaxy located in the constellation Andromeda

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References

  1. 1 2 "New General Catalog Objects: NGC 1 - 49" . Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  2. "NGC 44 » Deep Sky Objects Browser" . Retrieved 2013-07-27.

Coordinates: Celestia.png 00h 13m 14.0s, 31° 17′ 26″