Universe FinderFly · Explore · Discover
Hubble image of M85
Hubble · Messier 85 · NASA, ESA and R. O’Connell (University of Virginia)

Messier 85

Galaxy in Coma Berenices · 60 million light-years

🔭 Explore Messier 85 in the 3D map →View Messier 85 images →
TypeGalaxy
ConstellationComa Berenices
Right ascension12h 25m 24s
Declination+18° 11′
Object distance60 million light-years
Apparent magnitude9.1
Apparent size7′ (arc-minutes)
Approx. true diameter122,173 light-years across
Also known asM85 · NGC 4382
Messier 85 is a galaxy (also catalogued as NGC 4382) in the constellation Coma Berenices — an island of billions of stars far beyond our own Milky Way. It was recorded by Charles Messier in his famous catalogue of 110 deep-sky objects. It spans roughly 7 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 9.1, it shows up well in a small backyard telescope.

Although it appears about 7′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 122,173 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.

Observing Messier 85

Messier 85 lies in the constellation Coma Berenices and is best placed in the evening sky around March. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. Lying near the celestial equator, it can be seen from both hemispheres. A small backyard telescope will show it; binoculars may hint at it under dark skies. Note that the listed magnitude is spread across the whole object — diffuse galaxies and nebulae are often harder to see than the number alone suggests, so dark, moonless skies help a great deal.

See Messier 85 in Universe Finder

Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Messier 85 and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →

Sources

Related objects