NGC 247
An intermediate spiral galaxy with a large void in its disk.
NGC 247, also called Caldwell 62 and often referred to as the Claw Galaxy, is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Cetus. Its distance was confirmed in late February 2011 to be about 11.1 million light-years, correcting an earlier, inaccurate measurement of 12.2 million light-years. The galaxy is part of the Sculptor Group and spans 70,000 light-years in diameter. A distinctive feature is a large void on one side of its spiral disk, where only older, redder stars are found, with no younger, blue stars present.
NGC 247 is one of several galaxies gravitationally bound to the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253). Together, they form a small core at the center of the Sculptor Group, one of the nearest galaxy groups to the Milky Way. Most other galaxies in the group are only weakly tied to this core.
In 1963, Geoffrey Burbidge and Margaret Burbidge identified a chain of five background galaxies northeast of NGC 247, later known as Burbidge's Chain. In 1977, it was cataloged as VV518. The individual galaxies are designated NGC 247A, NGC 247B, NGC 247C, NGC 247D, and ESO540-025.
Quick Facts
- Epoch
- J2000
- Ra
- 00 · 47 · 08.2851
- Dec
- -20 · 45 · 37.645
- Dist Ly
- 11.1 ± 1.2 Mly
- Appmag V
- 9.9
- Constellation Name
- Cetus
- Names
- HIPASS J0047-20, LEDA 2758, ESO-LV 540-0220, IRAS F00446-2101, 2MASX J00470855-2045374, ESO 540-22, IRAS 00446-2101, MCG-04-03-005, GLXY G113.8-83.5+144, KUG 0044-210, UGCA 11, PGC 2758, Caldwell 62
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
NGC 247 is a member of the Sculptor Group, one of the nearest groups of galaxies to the Milky Way. It is one of several galaxies gravitationally bound to the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253), forming a small core at the center of the group; most other associated galaxies are only weakly bound to this core. The galaxy's distance was previously measured as about 12.2 million light-years, but this was proved wrong when a measurement in late February 2011 confirmed the distance to be about 11.1 million light-years.
A distinctive feature of NGC 247 is an unusually large void on one side of its spiral disk. This void contains some older, redder stars but lacks younger, bluer stars. In 1963, Geoffrey Burbidge and Margaret Burbidge identified a group of five background galaxies located northeast of NGC 247, which became known as Burbidge's Chain. In 1977, this chain was listed in the VV catalog as VV518; individually, the five galaxies are also identified as NGC 247A, NGC 247B, NGC 247C, NGC 247D, and ESO540-025.
Reader's Guide
NGC 247 holds significance as a prominent member of the Sculptor Group, one of the nearest galaxy groups to the Milky Way, providing a valuable laboratory for studying galaxy interactions and evolution. Its large void, devoid of young blue stars but containing older red stars, offers a striking example of asymmetric structure in a spiral galaxy, prompting study of star formation and galactic dynamics. The galaxy's distance revision—from 12.2 to 11.1 million light-years—underscores the importance of precise measurement in understanding cosmic scales. Additionally, the identification of Burbidge's Chain, a line of five background galaxies northeast of NGC 247, highlights the galaxy's role as a reference point for discovering and cataloging distant galaxy groupings. As part of the core of the Sculptor Group, NGC 247 contributes to the understanding of gravitational binding and structure within nearby galaxy associations.
Did You Know?
- NGC 247 is also known as Caldwell 62 and commonly called the Claw Galaxy.
- It has an unusually large void on one side of its spiral disk that contains older, redder stars but no younger, bluer stars.
- The galaxy's distance was revised from about 12.2 million light-years to about 11.1 million light-years in late February 2011.
- Five background galaxies northeast of NGC 247 form Burbidge's Chain, also cataloged as VV518.
More in NGC Objects 1-24
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