Observation by Alan Thomas: M89 Elliptical Galaxy in Virgo

Uploaded by

Alan Thomas

Observer

Alan Thomas

Observed

2024 Jan 15 - 04:10

Uploaded

2024 Mar 01 - 11:57

Objects

M89

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Constellation

Virgo

Field centre

RA: 12^h35^m
Dec: +12°33'
Position angle: -16°24'

Field size

0°24' × 0°18'

Equipment

Unistellar eQuinox 112mm reflector

Exposure

6min.

Location

Norbreck Observatory, Warrington, Cheshire, UK.

Target name

M89 Elliptical Galaxy in Virgo

Title

M89 Elliptical Galaxy in Virgo

About this image

This relatively brief exposure image of M89 was obtained on a chilly morning in January - the exposure was ended by the onset of a snow shower.

This mag.10.7 elliptical galaxy is unusual in that it appears spherical rather than ellipsoid in shape. It is unclear whether this is a line of sight effect. The galaxy was discovered by Charles Messier in March 1781. It is a member of the Virgo cluster.

Distance c.50million ly. Diameter c.80,000ly, though the outer shell extends c.150,000ly. The galaxy contains a supermassive black hole with a mass of c.1billion solar masses.

Files associated with this observation

eVscope-20240115-040953 (2).jpg (121.6 kB)

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Callum Potter

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