Sunday, Mar 30, 2025

NGC 2403 (also known as C 7) is a large spiral galaxy visible in the constellation of Camelopardalis. Initially believed to be one of the closest galaxies to us (just 8000 light years), its real distance was later discovered, to be 8 million light years. The galaxy belongs to the M81 Group of galaxies, one of the closest to our Local Group, whose main members are found in Ursa Major. It was the first galaxy outside the Local Group in which Cepheid variables were identified, the galaxy is also known for the supernovae that appeared in it: SN 1954J, 2002kg and SN 2004dj. Its nucleus is rich in HII regions, i.e. areas of ionized hydrogen in which star formation occurs, a phenomenon that is normally quite rare in the central regions of galaxies.