The biggest galaxy in the Deer Lick Group, galaxy NGC 7331 has lots to offer through a telescope, so track it down tonight.
| Published: October 20, 2026
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October 19: Feast your eyes on the Southern Fish
Located in northern Pegasus, NGC 7331 is a bright galaxy that is the largest in a group of five galaxies collectively known as the Deer Lick Group. It’s best viewed in early evening, standing highest around 10 P.M. local daylight time, when it is more than 80° above the southwestern horizon.
You’ll find NGC 7331 glowing at 10th magnitude just 4.4° north of 3rd-magnitude Matar (Eta [η] Pegasi). Stretching some 11’ long and 4’ wide, this lovely galaxy has a large, bright nucleus with no bar, surrounded by delicate spiral arms. Even though the galaxy is nearly edge-on, larger scopes will allow you to see exquisite detail in those arms.
We see NGC 7331 from a distance of 40 million light-years, but it’s not the only galaxy in sight.…