NGC 713 facts for kids
NGC 713 is a fascinating spiral galaxy located far away in space. It's found in a group of stars called the Cetus constellation, which looks a bit like a whale in the night sky. This galaxy is incredibly distant, about 235 million light-years from our own galaxy, the Milky Way. Thinking about how far away that is can really make your head spin!
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What is a Galaxy?
A galaxy is a huge collection of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter, all held together by gravity. Imagine billions, or even trillions, of stars swirling around together in a giant cosmic island. Our Sun is just one star in our own galaxy, the Milky Way. Galaxies come in different shapes and sizes, like spirals, ovals (ellipticals), and irregular shapes.
Spiral Galaxies Explained
NGC 713 is a type of galaxy called a spiral galaxy. These galaxies are some of the most beautiful and common types in the universe. They have a flat, rotating disk with spiral arms that stretch out from a central bulge. These arms are often where new stars are born, making them bright and blue. Our own Milky Way galaxy is also a spiral galaxy, with a central bar and several spiral arms.
Measuring Cosmic Distances
When we say NGC 713 is 235 million light-years away, what does that mean? A light-year is a way to measure incredibly vast distances in space. It's the distance that light travels in one year. Light moves super fast, about 300,000 kilometers (186,000 miles) every second! So, 235 million light-years is an enormous distance, showing just how big the universe is. It also means that the light we see from NGC 713 today actually left that galaxy 235 million years ago. We are looking back in time!
The Cetus Constellation
NGC 713 is located in the Cetus constellation. A constellation is a group of stars that form a pattern in the sky, often named after animals, mythological figures, or objects. Cetus is named after a sea monster or whale from ancient Greek myths. You can usually see Cetus in the autumn sky in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. While the stars in a constellation appear close together from Earth, they are actually very far apart in space. NGC 713 is much, much farther away than any of the stars that make up the Cetus constellation.
Images for kids
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NGC 713 (Image from the SDSS)
