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Hubble image of M89
Hubble · Messier 89 · NASA, ESA, STScI, and M. Franx (Universiteit Leiden) and S. Faber (University of California, Santa Cruz)

Messier 89

Galaxy in Virgo · 50 million light-years

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TypeGalaxy
ConstellationVirgo
Right ascension12h 35m 40s
Declination+12° 33′
Object distance50 million light-years
Apparent magnitude10.1
Apparent size8.1′ (arc-minutes)
Approx. true diameter117,810 light-years across
Also known asM89 · NGC 4552
Messier 89 is a galaxy (also catalogued as NGC 4552) in the constellation Virgo — 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 8.1 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 10.1, it shows up well in a small backyard telescope.

Although it appears about 8.1′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 117,810 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.

Observing Messier 89

Messier 89 lies in the constellation Virgo 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 89 in Universe Finder

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Sources

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