On 1 March 2020, amateur astronomer Cristian Cestaro shared a photograph of NGC 2403, a spiral galaxy situated approximately 8 million light-years from Earth in the constellation of Giraffe. The image was the result of five hours of collected signal data captured through telescopic observation.
The observation
Cestaro described the project as his second major astrophotography work. The image collection took place over multiple observing sessions before cloud cover interrupted further data gathering. The final composite photograph reveals the structure of the distant galaxy as visible from Earth through amateur-level astronomical equipment.
NGC 2403 and its location
NGC 2403 is a spiral galaxy positioned in the constellation Giraffe. Its distance of approximately 8 million light-years places it well beyond our own Milky Way galaxy, making it a significant target for amateur astronomers interested in deep-sky observation and long-exposure astrophotography.
Frequently asked questions
How long did it take to collect the imaging data?
Cestaro collected approximately five hours of signal data over multiple observing sessions before cloud cover made further observation impossible.
How far is NGC 2403 from Earth?
NGC 2403 is located approximately 8 million light-years from Earth in the constellation of Giraffe.
What type of galaxy is NGC 2403?
NGC 2403 is a spiral galaxy, as documented in the astrophotographic observation shared by Cestaro.