NGC 77 facts for kids
NGC 77 is a fascinating lenticular galaxy located in the Cetus constellation. It is incredibly far away from Earth, about 780 million light-years from us. Imagine how vast the universe is to hold something so distant!
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What is NGC 77?
NGC 77 is a type of galaxy known as a lenticular galaxy. These galaxies are a bit like a mix between a spiral galaxy and an elliptical galaxy. They have a bright central bulge, like a spiral galaxy, but they don't have clear spiral arms. Instead, they have a smooth, disk-like shape, similar to a lens.
Where is NGC 77 located?
This galaxy can be found in the constellation Cetus. Cetus is often called "The Whale" because its stars form a shape that looks like a sea monster or a whale. It's one of the largest constellations in the night sky. Finding NGC 77 within Cetus requires a powerful telescope because it is so far away.
How far is 780 million light-years?
A light-year is the distance that light travels in one year. Light moves incredibly fast, about 300,000 kilometers (186,000 miles) per second! So, 780 million light-years is an enormous distance. It means that the light we see from NGC 77 today actually left the galaxy 780 million years ago. We are seeing it as it looked a very long time ago, when dinosaurs were still roaming the Earth!
Discovery of NGC 77
Astronomers first recorded NGC 77 in 1886. Discovering galaxies so far away was a huge achievement, especially with the telescopes available at that time. Each new discovery helps us learn more about the size and history of our amazing universe.
