Galaxy · Elliptical
NGC 6017
NGC 6017 is a galaxy in the direction of the constellation Serpens, 75.8 million light-years away.
| Type | Elliptical |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Serpens |
| Distance | 75.8 million light-years (23.23 Mpc) |
| Diameter | 25,400 light-years · 0.29 × the Milky Way |
| Absolute magnitude | magnitude −18.84 |
| Apparent magnitude | magnitude 12.99 |
| Luminosity | 0.15 × the Milky Way |
| Right ascension (J2000) | 15h 57m 15.5s |
| Declination (J2000) | +5° 59′ 54″ |
| Source | 2MASS Redshift Survey (Huchra et al. 2012) |
In the sky
A telescope is needed to see it: its apparent magnitude is 12.99. Visible from the whole Northern Hemisphere and south to latitude 84° S. It stands highest at midnight in May, the best time to observe it.
Through a telescope from Earth
Light's journey
The light you see tonight set out 76 million years ago. At that time dinosaurs ruled the Earth. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 1,344.0 billion years.