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Winter

M78, Bright Nebula in Orion

Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M78 (NGC 2068) Bright Nebula 05h 46m 42s 00° 03′ 00″ Orion +8.30 8.0 x 6.0 arcmin Overview We’ve probably all seen M42 and M43, the most famous of all the night sky’s nebulae, surrounding Orion’s belt. This nebula is still a part of Orion, but is …

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M91, Spiral Galaxy in Coma Berenices

Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M91 (NGC 4548) Barred Spiral Galaxy 12h 35m 27s +14° 29′ 46″ Coma Berenices +10.0 5.5×4.5 arcmin Overview This barred spiral galaxy was discovered M91 but shrouded it in mystery when he recorded its coordinates incorrectly in his notes. Suggestions for the ‘real’ M91 have included a …

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M87, Elliptical Galaxy in Virgo

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 This is both the largest and brightest member of the Virgo-Coma Supercluster of galaxies. M87 is an elliptical galaxy – no swirling arms here – shining brighter than magnitude 9. It’s …

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M61, Spiral Galaxy in Virgo

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 One of the largest members of the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies, M61 was discovered by Barnabus Oriani in May 1779 while observing a comet. Coincidentally, Messier also spied the galaxy on …

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M58, Spiral Galaxy in Virgo

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 With a similar mass to our own Milky Way, this is one of the most prominent galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. Discovered in April 1779 by Charles Messier, on the same day …

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