Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M106 (NGC 4258) Spiral Galaxy 12h 18m 58s +47° 18′ 14″ Canes Venatici +8.3 17.0×7.2 arcmin Overview M106 is one of those curious entries in the Messier catalog that wasn’t actually added by Messier himself. The galaxy was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 but was added …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M85 (NGC 4382) Lenticular Galaxy 12h 25m 24s +18° 11′ 25″ Coma Berenices +9.0 7.0×5.3 arcmins Overview This galaxy lies in the small constellation of Coma Berenices but is actually a member of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, which includes 15 other galaxies in the Messier catalog. …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M63 (NGC 5055) Spiral Galaxy 13h 15m 49s +42° 01′ 45″ Canes Venatici +8.52 11.8×7.2 arcmins Overview This galaxy, as you can see below, produces a stunning image of vast, roiling clouds of stars. It’s not a big leap of the imagination to see why it is …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M87 (NGC 4486) Elliptical Galaxy 12h 30m 50s +12° 23′ 26″ Virgo +8.67 7.1×6.7 arcmin Overview We all know what Orion looks like, but did you know that the constellation below the hunter’s feet is Lepus, the hare. This is where we’ll find the globular cluster M79. …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M61 (NGC 4303) Spiral Galaxy 12h 21m 23s +04° 28′ 26″ Virgo +9.52 6.9×6.6 arcmin Overview Monoceros, the Unicorn, is a constellation we seldom talk about. There is not a lot to interest us within its boundaries, but near where it meets Canis Major, with Sirius, the …
Target Type R.A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M58 (NGC 4579) Spiral Galaxy 12h 37m 44s +11° 49′ 05″ Virgo 9.53 5.0×3.8 arcmin Overview M47 is only a finger-width away from M46, which I’ve covered before on Love the Night Sky. M47 is a large, bright, irregular cluster which we can see with the naked eye …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M106 (NGC 4258) Spiral Galaxy 12h 18m 58s +47° 18′ 14″ Canes Venatici +8.3 17.0×7.2 arcmin Overview M106 is one of those curious entries in the Messier catalog that wasn’t actually added by Messier himself. The galaxy was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 but was added …
Challenge #4 – M106, Spiral Galaxy in Canes Venatici Read More »
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M85 (NGC 4382) Lenticular Galaxy 12h 25m 24s +18° 11′ 25″ Coma Berenices +9.0 7.0×5.3 arcmins Overview This galaxy lies in the small constellation of Coma Berenices but is actually a member of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, which includes 15 other galaxies in the Messier catalog. …
Challenge #2 – M85, Lenticular Galaxy in Coma Berenices Read More »
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M63 (NGC 5055) Spiral Galaxy 13h 15m 49s +42° 01′ 45″ Canes Venatici +8.52 11.8×7.2 arcmins Overview This galaxy, as you can see below, produces a stunning image of vast, roiling clouds of stars. It’s not a big leap of the imagination to see why it is …
Challenge #1 – M63, The Sunflower Galaxy in Canes Venatici Read More »
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size NGC 7331(Caldwell 30) Spiral Galaxy 22h 37m 04s +34° 24′ 56″ Pegasus 9.25 9.3 x 3.8 arcmins Overview The main galaxy we’re hunting for in this challenge is a large oval galaxy with a bright center. What’s not mentioned in the table above are the four ‘fleas’ …
Spiral Galaxy NGC 7331, and ‘the Fleas’ Copy Copy Copy Read More »
