Galaxy · Elliptical
Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy
Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy is a galaxy in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, 65,200 light-years away. A dwarf satellite being torn apart by the Milky Way; it lies behind the Galactic centre.
| Type | Elliptical |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
| Distance | 65,200 light-years (20.0 kpc) |
| Diameter | 9,785 light-years · 0.11 × the Milky Way |
| Absolute magnitude | magnitude −13.50 |
| Apparent magnitude | magnitude 3.01 |
| Luminosity | 0.0011 × the Milky Way |
| Right ascension (J2000) | 18h 55m 02.4s |
| Declination (J2000) | −30° 28′ 48″ |
| Source | Compiled catalogue (NED, approximate values) |
In the sky
Visible to the naked eye under a dark sky (apparent magnitude 3.01). Visible from the whole Southern Hemisphere and north to latitude 60° N. South of latitude 60° S it never sets. It stands highest at midnight in July, the best time to observe it.
Through a telescope from Earth
Light's journey
The light you see tonight set out 65 thousand years ago. At that time Homo sapiens was spreading out of Africa; there was no farming yet. At the speed of Voyager 1, the fastest craft leaving the Solar System (16.9 km per second), the trip would take 1.2 billion years.