Andromeda
Log inJoin

Galaxy

NGC 4256

Also PGC 39568

Open in OuranosCompare its size

A spiral galaxy, seen nearly edge-on.

Measured

Distance
about 131 million light-years (published estimates 131 million–132 million)
Size
about 148,000 light-years across (approximate)
Constellation
Draco
Position (J2000)
RA 12h 18m 43s, Dec +65.90°

How far, from the Sun

About 131 million light-years. To cross it:

  • Light131 million years
  • Voyager 1's speed2.33 trillion years
  • Driving at 100 km/h1,420 trillion years

Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.

Facts

  • About 131 million light years away; catalogues put it between 131 million and 132 million.
  • About 148,000 light years across, at the distance above.

Where this comes from

  • Distance from z0MGS (Leroy et al. 2019, ApJS 244, 24); range with HyperLEDA's best distance modulus; size from HyperLEDA's D25 at that distance
  • This research has made use of the SIMBAD database, CDS, Strasbourg, France (Wenger et al. 2000, A&AS 143, 9).
  • This research has made use of the VizieR catalogue access tool, CDS, Strasbourg, France (DOI: 10.26093/cds/vizier).

Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.