Observer's guide
About NGC 628
NGC 628 (M74) is catalogued as a spiral galaxy in Pisces. Its J2000 position is RA 01:36:41.75, Dec +15:47:01.2, corresponding to 24.1739 degrees RA and 15.7836 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 35,000,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 6.7 by 6.65 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as a very hard target at magnitude 9.4. It is associated with autumn observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around October. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 53.8 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is G. SIMBAD records the morphology as Sc. A published radial velocity value is 658 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 1962 bibliographic references.
At roughly 6.7 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 6.7 by 6.65 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.