Galaxy
IC 1613
Irregular galaxy · C51 · IC 1613
Irregular galaxy in Cetus
Photo: Philos2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
IC 1613 is an irregular dwarf galaxy located on the outskirts of the Local group around 730 kiloparsecs from Earth in the constellation of Cetus near the star 26 Ceti. It has a low mass with its mass only being around 108 solar masses. It has played an important role in the calibration of the Cepheid variable period–luminosity relation for estimating distances. Other than the Magellanic Clouds, it is one of the few Local Group dwarf irregular galaxy where RR Lyrae-type variables have been observed; this factor, along with an unusually low abundance of interstellar dust both within IC 1613 and along the line of sight enable especially accurate distance estimates. IC 1613 was discovered in 1906 by Max Wolf, and is approaching Earth at 234 km/s.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
Share your location to see where this is in your sky right now.
Key facts
Distance
~2.3 million light-years
Apparent mag.
+9.3
Apparent size
18.3′ × 17.1′
Best seen with
Telescope
Catalogue
C51 · IC 1613
Did you know
- Listed as Caldwell 51 in the Caldwell catalogue, also known as IC 1613.
- Found in the constellation Cetus.
- Needs a telescope to see clearly.
