NGC 502 facts for kids
NGC 502 is a fascinating lenticular galaxy located in the Pisces constellation. Imagine looking up at the night sky and seeing a galaxy that's about 117 million light-years away from our own home galaxy, the Milky Way! That's how far away NGC 502 is.
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What is a Lenticular Galaxy?
A lenticular galaxy is a type of galaxy that looks like a mix between a spiral galaxy and an elliptical galaxy. It has a bright, central bulge, much like a spiral galaxy, but it doesn't have clear spiral arms. Instead, it has a flat, disk-like shape, similar to a lens (which is where the name "lenticular" comes from!).
Key Features of Lenticular Galaxies
Lenticular galaxies like NGC 502 often have some interesting features:
- They usually have very little dust and gas. This means they don't form many new stars anymore.
- Most of their stars are older, giving them a more yellowish or reddish color compared to younger, bluer spiral galaxies.
- They can sometimes have a faint ring structure or a bar shape in their center.
Where is NGC 502 Located?
NGC 502 is found in the constellation of Pisces. Pisces is one of the 12 zodiac constellations. It's often shown as two fish tied together by a cord. Even though NGC 502 is in Pisces, you can't see it with your bare eyes. You would need a powerful telescope to spot it!
How Far Away is NGC 502?
When we say NGC 502 is 117 million light-years away, it means the light we see from it today started its journey 117 million years ago. A light-year is a way to measure huge distances in space. It's the distance light travels in one year. Light travels incredibly fast, about 300,000 kilometers (186,000 miles) per second! So, 117 million light-years is an enormous distance!
Who Discovered NGC 502?
NGC 502 was discovered by an astronomer named Heinrich Louis d'Arrest. He was a German astronomer who lived in the 19th century. He made many important discoveries during his career. He found NGC 502 in the year 1862. Astronomers like d'Arrest used early telescopes to map the sky. They helped us understand more about the universe around us.
