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Winter

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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M93, Open Cluster in Puppis

Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M93 (NGC 2447) Open Cluster 07h 44m 30s -23° 51′ 00″ Puppis +6.2 10.0 arcmin Overview You might just be able to see the shape of an arrow formed by the stars in this bright cluster in the image below. Its head is formed of the bright …

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