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M83
Hubble · Messier 83 · NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA); Acknowledgment: W. Blair (STScI/Johns Hopkins University) and R. O’Connell (University of Virginia)

Southern Pinwheel Galaxy

Galaxy in Hydra · 15 million light-years

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TypeGalaxy
ConstellationHydra
Right ascension13h 37m 01s
Declination−29° 52′
Object distance15 million light-years
Apparent magnitude7.2
Apparent size13.6′ (arc-minutes)
Approx. true diameter59,341 light-years across
Also known asM83 · NGC 5236
Messier 83, popularly known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, is a galaxy (also catalogued as NGC 5236) in the constellation Hydra — 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 13.6 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 7.2, it is an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.

Although it appears about 13.6′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 59,341 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.

Observing Southern Pinwheel Galaxy

Southern Pinwheel Galaxy lies in the constellation Hydra and is best placed in the evening sky around April. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the southern hemisphere, and sits low for those far north. It is a comfortable target for binoculars and small telescopes. 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 Southern Pinwheel Galaxy in Universe Finder

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