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 M49 (NGC 4472) Elliptical Galaxy 12h 29m 46s +07° 59′ 59″ Virgo +8.3 10.2×8.4 arcmins Overview This massive elliptical galaxy is near the center of the Virgo Coud of galaxies which itself lies at the heart of the Virgo Cluster. It is the brightest galaxy galaxy in …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M104 Galaxy 12h 41m 03s -11° 44′ 07″ Virgo +8.1 8.4 x 4.9 arcmin Overview M104, the Sombrero Galaxy, is part of the Virgo galaxy cluster, which also includes M86 and M84 which we looked at last month. Virgo is renowned for being rich in galaxies and …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M86M84 Galaxies 12h 27m 14s12h 26m 06s +12° 49′ 59″+12° 46′ 28″ Virgo +8.8+9.0 11.5 arcmin7.4 arcmin Our second challenge presents two objects for the price of one, the galaxies M86 and M84 in Virgo. Overview Virgo is renowned for being rich in galaxies. There are 14 …
