| NGC 496 | |
| Upright: | 1.35 |
| Epoch: | J2000[1] |
| Ra: | [2] |
| Constellation Name: | Pisces[3] |
| Type: | Sbc |
| Appmag V: | 13.4 |
| H Radial V: | (6011.7 ± 27.8) km/s |
| Dist Ly: | 250 Mly[4] |
| Z: | +0.020258 ± 0.000093 |
| Size V: | 1.6' × 0.9' |
| Names: | PGC 5061, UGC 927, GC 288, MCG 5-4-36, 2MASS J01231161+3331452, H 3.157, IRAS 01203+3316, CGCG 502-60, KUG 0120+332A[5] |
NGC 496, also occasionally referred to as PGC 5037, UGC 927 or GC 288, is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces. It is located approximately 250 million light-years from the Solar System and was discovered on 12 September, 1784 by astronomer William Herschel.
The object was discovered by Herschel along with NGC 495 and NGC 499. He initially described the discovery as "Three [''NGC 496 along with NGC 495 and 499''], eS and F, forming a triangle.". As he observed the trio again the next night, he was able to make out more detail: "Three, forming a [right triangle]; the [right angle] to the south NGC 499, the short leg preceding [NGC 496''], the long towards the north [''NGC 495'']. Those in the legs [''NGC 496 and 495''] the faintest imaginable; that at the rectangle [''NGC 499''] a deal larger and brighter, but still very faint."[6]
NGC 496 was later also observed by Bindon Blood Stoney. This position is also noted in the New General Catalogue.