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The galaxy has an apparent magnitude of 9.59 and lies at a distance of 53.5 million light years from Earth. It has the designation NGC… Read More »Messier 87: Virgo A" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Messier Objects" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2015-08-14T20:23:05+00:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2021-01-18T03:20:04+00:00" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="1024" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="1024" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta name="author" content="admin" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:label1" content="Written by" /> <meta name="twitter:data1" content="admin" /> <meta name="twitter:label2" content="Est. reading time" /> <meta name="twitter:data2" content="15 minutes" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/","url":"https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/","name":"Messier 87: Virgo A - Messier Objects","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.messier-objects.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87.jpg","datePublished":"2015-08-14T20:23:05+00:00","dateModified":"2021-01-18T03:20:04+00:00","author":{"@id":"https://www.messier-objects.com/#/schema/person/ea71cf4125dc061822c77d3ec6ed782e"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/#primaryimage","url":"https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87.jpg","contentUrl":"https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87.jpg","width":1024,"height":1024,"caption":"Messier 87 by the Hubble Space Telescope. 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class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-5/">Messier 5</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2875" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2875"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-6-butterfly-cluster/">Messier 6: Butterfly Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2876" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2876"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-7-ptolemys-cluster/">Messier 7: Ptolemy’s Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2877" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2877"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-8-lagoon-nebula/">Messier 8: Lagoon Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2878" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2878"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-9/">Messier 9</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2879" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2879"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-10/">Messier 10</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2880" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2880"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-11-wild-duck-cluster/">Messier 11: Wild Duck Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2881" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2881"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-12-gumball-globular/">Messier 12: Gumball Globular</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2882" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2882"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-13-hercules-globular-cluster/">Messier 13: Hercules Globular Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2883" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2883"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-14/">Messier 14</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2884" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2884"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-15-great-pegasus-cluster/">Messier 15: Great Pegasus Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2885" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2885"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-16-eagle-nebula/">Messier 16: Eagle Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2886" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2886"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-17-omega-nebula/">Messier 17: Omega Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2887" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2887"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-18/">Messier 18</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2888" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2888"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-19/">Messier 19</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2889" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2889"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-20-trifid-nebula/">Messier 20: Trifid Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2890" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2890"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-21/">Messier 21</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2891" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2891"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-22-sagittarius-cluster/">Messier 22: Sagittarius Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2892" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2892"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-23/">Messier 23</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2893" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2893"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-24-sagittarius-star-cloud/">Messier 24: Sagittarius Star Cloud</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2894" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2894"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-25/">Messier 25</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2895" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2895"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-26/">Messier 26</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2896" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2896"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-27-dumbbell-nebula/">Messier 27: Dumbbell Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2897" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2897"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-28/">Messier 28</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2898" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2898"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-29/">Messier 29</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2899" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2899"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-30/">Messier 30</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2900" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2900"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-31-andromeda-galaxy/">Messier 31: Andromeda Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2901" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2901"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-32-le-gentil/">Messier 32: Le Gentil</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2902" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2902"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-33-triangulum-galaxy/">Messier 33: Triangulum Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2903" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2903"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-34/">Messier 34</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2904" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2904"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-35/">Messier 35</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2905" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2905"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-36-pinwheel-cluster/">Messier 36: Pinwheel Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2906" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2906"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-37/">Messier 37</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2907" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2907"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-38-starfish-cluster/">Messier 38: Starfish Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2908" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2908"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-39/">Messier 39</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2909" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2909"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-40-winnecke-4/">Messier 40: Winnecke 4</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2910" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2910"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-41/">Messier 41</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2911" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2911"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-42-orion-nebula/">Messier 42: Orion Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2912" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2912"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-43-de-mairans-nebula/">Messier 43: De Mairan’s Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2913" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2913"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-44-beehive-cluster/">Messier 44: Beehive Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2914" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2914"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-45-pleiades/">Messier 45: Pleiades</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2915" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2915"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-46/">Messier 46</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2916" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2916"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-47/">Messier 47</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2917" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2917"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-48/">Messier 48</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2918" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2918"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-49/">Messier 49</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2919" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2919"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-50-heart-shaped-cluster/">Messier 50: Heart-Shaped Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2920" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2920"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-51-whirlpool-galaxy/">Messier 51: Whirlpool Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2921" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2921"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-52/">Messier 52</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2922" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2922"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-53/">Messier 53</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2923" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2923"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-54/">Messier 54</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2924" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2924"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-55-summer-rose-star/">Messier 55: Summer Rose Star</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2925" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2925"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-56/">Messier 56</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2926" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2926"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-57-ring-nebula/">Messier 57: Ring Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2927" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2927"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-58/">Messier 58</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2928" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2928"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-59/">Messier 59</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2929" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2929"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-60/">Messier 60</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2930" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2930"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-61/">Messier 61</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2931" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2931"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-62/">Messier 62</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2932" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2932"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-63-sunflower-galaxy/">Messier 63: Sunflower Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2933" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2933"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-64-black-eye-galaxy/">Messier 64: Black Eye Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2934" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2934"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-65/">Messier 65</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2935" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2935"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-66/">Messier 66</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2936" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2936"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-67-king-cobra-cluster/">Messier 67: King Cobra Cluster</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2937" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2937"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-68/">Messier 68</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2938" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2938"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-69/">Messier 69</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2939" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2939"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-70/">Messier 70</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2940" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2940"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-71/">Messier 71</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2941" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2941"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-72/">Messier 72</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2942" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2942"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-73/">Messier 73</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2943" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2943"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-74-phantom-galaxy/">Messier 74: Phantom Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2944" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2944"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-75/">Messier 75</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2945" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2945"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-76-little-dumbbell-nebula/">Messier 76: Little Dumbbell Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2946" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2946"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-77-cetus-a/">Messier 77: Cetus A</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2947" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2947"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-78/">Messier 78</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2948" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2948"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-79/">Messier 79</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2949" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2949"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-80/">Messier 80</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2950" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2950"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-81-bodes-galaxy/">Messier 81: Bode’s Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2951" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2951"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-82-cigar-galaxy/">Messier 82: Cigar Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2952" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2952"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-83-southern-pinwheel-galaxy/">Messier 83: Southern Pinwheel Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2953" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2953"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-84/">Messier 84</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2954" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2954"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-85/">Messier 85</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2955" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2955"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-86/">Messier 86</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2956" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post current-menu-item menu-item-2956 nv-active"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/" aria-current="page">Messier 87: Virgo A</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2957" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2957"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-88/">Messier 88</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2958" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2958"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-89/">Messier 89</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2959" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2959"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-90/">Messier 90</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2960" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2960"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-91/">Messier 91</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2961" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2961"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-92/">Messier 92</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2962" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2962"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-93/">Messier 93</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2963" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2963"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-94-cats-eye-galaxy/">Messier 94: Cat’s Eye Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2964" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2964"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-95/">Messier 95</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2965" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2965"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-96/">Messier 96</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2966" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2966"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-97-owl-nebula/">Messier 97: Owl Nebula</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2967" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2967"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-98/">Messier 98</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2968" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2968"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-99-coma-pinwheel/">Messier 99: Coma Pinwheel</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2969" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2969"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-100/">Messier 100</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2970" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2970"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-101-pinwheel-galaxy/">Messier 101: Pinwheel Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2971" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2971"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-102-spindle-galaxy/">Messier 102: Spindle Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2972" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2972"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-103/">Messier 103</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2973" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2973"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-104-sombrero-galaxy/">Messier 104: Sombrero Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2974" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2974"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-105/">Messier 105</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2975" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2975"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-106/">Messier 106</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2976" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2976"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-107/">Messier 107</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2977" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2977"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-108-surfboard-galaxy/">Messier 108: Surfboard Galaxy</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-2978" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2978"><div class="wrap"><a 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24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z"/></svg></span></div></div> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-3637" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3637"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-objects-by-constellation/messier-objects-in-canis-major/">Messier Objects in Canis Major</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-3636" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3636"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-objects-by-constellation/messier-objects-in-cassiopeia/">Messier Objects in Cassiopeia</a></div></li> <li id="menu-item-3634" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3634"><div class="wrap"><a 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style="margin-left:5px;" aria-label="Toggle Messier Object List"><span class="caret"><svg fill="currentColor" aria-label="Dropdown" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path d="M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z"/></svg></span></button></div> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2870"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-1-crab-nebula/">Messier 1: Crab Nebula</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2871"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-2/">Messier 2</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2872"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-3/">Messier 3</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2873"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-4/">Messier 4</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2874"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-5/">Messier 5</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2875"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-6-butterfly-cluster/">Messier 6: Butterfly Cluster</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2876"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-7-ptolemys-cluster/">Messier 7: Ptolemy’s Cluster</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2877"><div 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menu-item-2882"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-13-hercules-globular-cluster/">Messier 13: Hercules Globular Cluster</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2883"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-14/">Messier 14</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2884"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-15-great-pegasus-cluster/">Messier 15: Great Pegasus Cluster</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2885"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-16-eagle-nebula/">Messier 16: Eagle Nebula</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2886"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-17-omega-nebula/">Messier 17: Omega Nebula</a></div></li> <li 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menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2892"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-23/">Messier 23</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2893"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-24-sagittarius-star-cloud/">Messier 24: Sagittarius Star Cloud</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2894"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-25/">Messier 25</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2895"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-26/">Messier 26</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2896"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-27-dumbbell-nebula/">Messier 27: Dumbbell Nebula</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2897"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-28/">Messier 28</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2898"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-29/">Messier 29</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2899"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-30/">Messier 30</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2900"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-31-andromeda-galaxy/">Messier 31: Andromeda Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2901"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-32-le-gentil/">Messier 32: Le Gentil</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2902"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-33-triangulum-galaxy/">Messier 33: Triangulum Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2903"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-34/">Messier 34</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2904"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-35/">Messier 35</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2905"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-36-pinwheel-cluster/">Messier 36: Pinwheel Cluster</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2906"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-37/">Messier 37</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2907"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-38-starfish-cluster/">Messier 38: Starfish Cluster</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2908"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-39/">Messier 39</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2909"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-40-winnecke-4/">Messier 40: Winnecke 4</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2910"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-41/">Messier 41</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2911"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-42-orion-nebula/">Messier 42: Orion Nebula</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2912"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-43-de-mairans-nebula/">Messier 43: De Mairan’s Nebula</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2913"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-44-beehive-cluster/">Messier 44: Beehive Cluster</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2914"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-45-pleiades/">Messier 45: Pleiades</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2915"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-46/">Messier 46</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2916"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-47/">Messier 47</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2917"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-48/">Messier 48</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2918"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-49/">Messier 49</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2919"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-50-heart-shaped-cluster/">Messier 50: Heart-Shaped Cluster</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2920"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-51-whirlpool-galaxy/">Messier 51: Whirlpool Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2921"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-52/">Messier 52</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2922"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-53/">Messier 53</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2923"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-54/">Messier 54</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2924"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-55-summer-rose-star/">Messier 55: Summer Rose Star</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2925"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-56/">Messier 56</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2926"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-57-ring-nebula/">Messier 57: Ring Nebula</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2927"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-58/">Messier 58</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2928"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-59/">Messier 59</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2929"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-60/">Messier 60</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2930"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-61/">Messier 61</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2931"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-62/">Messier 62</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2932"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-63-sunflower-galaxy/">Messier 63: Sunflower Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2933"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-64-black-eye-galaxy/">Messier 64: Black Eye Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2934"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-65/">Messier 65</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2935"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-66/">Messier 66</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2936"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-67-king-cobra-cluster/">Messier 67: King Cobra Cluster</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2937"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-68/">Messier 68</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2938"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-69/">Messier 69</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2939"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-70/">Messier 70</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2940"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-71/">Messier 71</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2941"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-72/">Messier 72</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2942"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-73/">Messier 73</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2943"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-74-phantom-galaxy/">Messier 74: Phantom Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2944"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-75/">Messier 75</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2945"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-76-little-dumbbell-nebula/">Messier 76: Little Dumbbell Nebula</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2946"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-77-cetus-a/">Messier 77: Cetus A</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2947"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-78/">Messier 78</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2948"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-79/">Messier 79</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2949"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-80/">Messier 80</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2950"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-81-bodes-galaxy/">Messier 81: Bode’s Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2951"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-82-cigar-galaxy/">Messier 82: Cigar Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2952"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-83-southern-pinwheel-galaxy/">Messier 83: Southern Pinwheel Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2953"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-84/">Messier 84</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2954"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-85/">Messier 85</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2955"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-86/">Messier 86</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post current-menu-item menu-item-2956 nv-active"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/" aria-current="page">Messier 87: Virgo A</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2957"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-88/">Messier 88</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2958"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-89/">Messier 89</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2959"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-90/">Messier 90</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2960"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-91/">Messier 91</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2961"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-92/">Messier 92</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2962"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-93/">Messier 93</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2963"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-94-cats-eye-galaxy/">Messier 94: Cat’s Eye Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2964"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-95/">Messier 95</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2965"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-96/">Messier 96</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2966"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-97-owl-nebula/">Messier 97: Owl Nebula</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2967"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-98/">Messier 98</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2968"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-99-coma-pinwheel/">Messier 99: Coma Pinwheel</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2969"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-100/">Messier 100</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2970"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-101-pinwheel-galaxy/">Messier 101: Pinwheel Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2971"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-102-spindle-galaxy/">Messier 102: Spindle Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2972"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-103/">Messier 103</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2973"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-104-sombrero-galaxy/">Messier 104: Sombrero Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2974"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-105/">Messier 105</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2975"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-106/">Messier 106</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2976"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-107/">Messier 107</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2977"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-108-surfboard-galaxy/">Messier 108: Surfboard Galaxy</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2978"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-109/">Messier 109</a></div></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-2979"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-110-edward-young-star/">Messier 110: Edward Young Star</a></div></li> </ul> </li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-3054"><div class="wrap"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-objects-by-constellation/"><span class="menu-item-title-wrap dd-title">Messier Objects by Constellation</span></a><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="caret-wrap navbar-toggle 114" style="margin-left:5px;" aria-label="Toggle Messier Objects by Constellation"><span class="caret"><svg 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media="all">.messier_objects_header{display:inline-block;width:320px;height:50px}@media (max-width:400px){.messier_objects_header{display:none}}@media (min-width:500px){.messier_objects_header{width:320px;height:100px}}@media (min-width:800px){.messier_objects_header{width:728px;height:90px}}</style> <ins class="adsbygoogle messier_objects_header" data-ad-client="ca-pub-0663561204264333" data-ad-slot="5272327740"></ins> <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> </div> <main id="content" class="neve-main"> <div class="container single-post-container"> <div class="row"> <article id="post-1594" class="nv-single-post-wrap col post-1594 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-elliptical-galaxy tag-abell-2029 tag-arp-152 tag-denebola tag-edwin-hubble tag-gc-3035 tag-h-1301 tag-halton-arp tag-heber-curtis tag-hvgc-1 tag-ic-1101 tag-innokentii-a-balanowski tag-john-herschel tag-m49 tag-m84 tag-m85 tag-m86 tag-m87 tag-m88 tag-m89 tag-m90 tag-m91 tag-m92 tag-messier-49 tag-messier-84 tag-messier-86 tag-messier-87 tag-messier-89 tag-ngc-4378 tag-ngc-4476 tag-ngc-4478 tag-ngc-4486 tag-ngc-4486a tag-ngc-4486b tag-otto-struve tag-smoking-gun tag-vindemiatrix tag-virgo-a tag-virgo-b tag-virgo-cluster tag-virgo-constellation tag-virgo-x-1"> <div class="entry-header" ><div class="nv-title-meta-wrap"><small class="nv--yoast-breadcrumb neve-breadcrumbs-wrapper"><span><span><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/">Home</a></span> » <span class="breadcrumb_last" aria-current="page">Messier 87: Virgo A</span></span></small><h1 class="title entry-title">Messier 87: Virgo A</h1><ul class="nv-meta-list"><li class="meta author vcard no-mobile"><span class="author-name fn">by <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/author/admin/" title="Posts by admin" rel="author">admin</a></span></li><li class="meta date posted-on"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2015-08-14T20:23:05+00:00" content="2015-08-14">August 14, 2015</time><time class="updated" datetime="2021-01-18T03:20:04+00:00">January 18, 2021</time></li></ul></div></div><div class="nv-content-wrap entry-content"><p>Messier 87 (M87), also known as Virgo A or the Smoking Gun, is a supergiant elliptical galaxy located in the core of the <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/virgo-cluster/">Virgo Cluster</a>, in the southern constellation <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/virgo-constellation/">Virgo</a>. The galaxy has an apparent magnitude of 9.59 and lies at a distance of 53.5 million light years from Earth. It has the designation NGC 4486 in the New General Catalogue.<br /> <span id="more-1594"></span><br /> Virgo A occupies an area of 7.2 by 6.8 arc minutes of apparent sky, which corresponds to a linear diameter of 120,000 light years, roughly the same size as the Milky Way. It is the second brightest galaxy in the northern part of the <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/virgo-cluster/">Virgo Cluster</a>, second only to <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-49/">Messier 49</a>.</p> <p>M87 can be observed in small and medium-sized telescopes. These reveal the galaxy’s core, which is about 45 arc seconds in apparent size. The jet emanating from the nucleus of M87 is difficult to see without photographic equipment.</p> <p>In 10×50 binoculars, M87 appears only as a faint patch of light. Small telescopes show a fuzzy ball of light, elliptical in shape, with a slightly brighter centre. Being an elliptical galaxy, Virgo A appears mostly featureless even when seen in larger telescopes.</p> <figure id="attachment_1619" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1619" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1619" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87.jpg" alt="virgo a,m87,ngc 4486,smoking gun" width="600" height="600" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87.jpg 1024w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1619" class="wp-caption-text">Messier 87 by the Hubble Space Telescope. Image: NASA/ESA</figcaption></figure> <p>Messier 87 is positioned near the border with the constellation <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/coma-berenices-constellation/">Coma Berenices</a> and can be found just over halfway along the line from the bright star <a href="https://www.star-facts.com/denebola/">Denebola</a> in <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/leo-constellation/">Leo</a> to <a href="https://www.star-facts.com/vindemiatrix/">Vindemiatrix</a> in <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/virgo-constellation/">Virgo</a>. Another elliptical galaxy, <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-89/">Messier 89</a>, lies just over a degree to the east, while <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-84/">Messier 84</a> and <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-86/">Messier 86</a> are about 1.5 degrees to the northwest of M87. Virgo A can also be located using the <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-84/">M84</a>/<a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-86/">M86</a> pair, positioned almost exactly halfway between <a href="https://www.star-facts.com/denebola/">Denebola</a> and <a href="https://www.star-facts.com/vindemiatrix/">Vindemiatrix</a>. Two fainter ellipticals, NGC 4476 and NGC 4378, can be seen in the same low power field of view as M87. Other galaxies in the vicinity include NGC 4478, NGC 4486A and NGC 4486B. The best time of year to observe M87 and other galaxies in the <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/virgo-cluster/">Virgo Cluster</a> is during the spring.</p> <p>Messier 87 is one of the largest, most massive and most luminous galaxies in the local universe. It has an estimated mass of almost 2.7 trillion solar masses and an absolute magnitude of about -22. The galaxy is home to at least 1 trillion stars. The stars form only a fraction of the galaxy’s mass. M87 has an estimated mass to luminosity ratio of 6.3, which means that about one sixth of M87’s mass is in the form of stars. The total mass of the galaxy may be 200 times that of the Milky Way, even if the galaxies are similar in size.</p> <p>Giant elliptical galaxies commonly form after a series of mergers of large spiral galaxies like the Milky Way. Elliptical galaxies outnumber other types in the central region of the <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/virgo-cluster/">Virgo Cluster</a> and, as the cluster members move toward the cluster’s core and merge, M87 will only grow larger.</p> <figure id="attachment_1620" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1620" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-1620" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87.jpg" alt="virgo a,messier 87" width="600" height="600" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87.jpg 1024w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1620" class="wp-caption-text">The huge halo around giant elliptical galaxy Messier 87 appears on this very deep image. An excess of light in the top-right part of this halo, and the motion of planetary nebulae in the galaxy, are the last remaining signs of a medium-sized galaxy that recently collided with Messier 87. The image also reveals many other galaxies forming the Virgo Cluster, of which Messier 87 is the largest member. In particular, the two galaxies at the top right of the frame are nicknamed “<a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/eyes-galaxies/">the Eyes</a>“. Image: Chris Mihos (Case Western Reserve University)/ESO</figcaption></figure> <p>Currently, M87 is still dwarfed by <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/ic-1101/">IC 1101</a>, a supergiant elliptical galaxy at the centre of the Abell 2029 cluster and the brightest galaxy in the group. IC 1101 is the largest galaxy in the known universe. Also located in the <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/virgo-constellation/">constellation Virgo</a>, it is almost three times the size of M87 and home to about four times as many stars. However, IC 1101 is more than a billion light years from Earth, or 20 times farther away than M87.</p> <p>Deep long exposure photographs have revealed that Virgo A extends far beyond 120,000 light years, showing that the galaxy’s outer regions are quite elongated rather than circular and occupy an area of over half a degree, more than the full Moon. This apparent size corresponds to a spatial extension of over 1 million light years. The outer regions of M87 are considerably distorted, likely as a result of encounters with other galaxies in the intracluster neighbourhood, with the giant M87 absorbing material from the smaller cluster members into these regions.</p> <figure id="attachment_1621" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1621" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-A-jet.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-1621" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-A-jet.jpg" alt="messier 87 jet,relativistic jet,smoking gun,virgo a black hole" width="600" height="626" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-A-jet.jpg 735w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-A-jet-287x300.jpg 287w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1621" class="wp-caption-text">Black Hole-Powered Jet of Electrons and Sub-Atomic Particles Streams From Center of Galaxy M87. Image: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)</figcaption></figure> <p>The galaxy has a jet of energetic plasma emanating from its core and extending at least 4,900 light years outwards. The jet consists of gaseous material expelled from the galaxy’s nucleus and travels at relativistic speed. Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope in 1999 revealed that the jet was moving at four to six times the speed of light. The gas clouds have an apparent superluminal motion, which is likely an illusion caused by the fact that the jet is pointing in our direction. The discovery of such motion supports the theory that quasars, radio galaxies and BL Lacertae objects may all in fact be active galaxies, only seen from different perspectives.</p> <figure id="attachment_1622" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1622" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87-jet.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1622" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87-jet.jpg" alt="messier 87 jet,virgo a centre" width="600" height="480" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87-jet.jpg 1000w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/M87-jet-300x240.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1622" class="wp-caption-text">This sequence of images, taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope over a period of 13 years, reveals changes in a black-hole-powered jet of hot gas in the giant elliptical galaxy M87.<br />The observations show that the river of plasma, travelling at nearly the speed of light, may follow the spiral structure of the black hole’s magnetic field, which astronomers think is coiled like a helix. The magnetic field is believed to arise from a spinning accretion disc of material around a black hole. Although the magnetic field cannot be seen, its presence is inferred by the confinement of the jet along a narrow cone emanating from the black hole. The visible portion of the jet extends for some 5000 light-years. M87 resides at the centre of the neighbouring Virgo cluster of roughly 2000 galaxies, located 50 million light-years away.<br />The images are part of a time-lapse movie that reveals changes in the jet from 1995 to 2007. They were taken by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys in 2006 and the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 in 1995, 1998, 2001, and 2007. Image: NASA, ESA, E. Meyer, W. Sparks, J. Biretta, J. Anderson, S.T. Sohn, and R. van der Marel (STScI), C. Norman (Johns Hopkins University), and M. Nakamura (Academia Sinica)</figcaption></figure> <p>The only person who was able to see the jet visually, without the aid of photography, before 1991, was the Ukrainian-American astronomer Otto Struve, who used the 100-inch Hooker telescope at the Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles to observe the galaxy. Today, the jet can be seen in large amateur telescopes under exceptionally clear and dark skies.</p> <p>The giant jet was first detected by the American astronomer Heber Curtis of the Lick Observatory in California in 1918. Curtis also noted that M87 does not have a spiral structure.</p> <p>In 1966, American astronomer Halton Arp discovered a second jet pointing in the opposite direction, and included M87 in his <em>Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies</em> as Arp 152.</p> <figure id="attachment_1623" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1623" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-jet.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1623" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-jet.jpg" alt="m87 relativistic jet" width="600" height="405" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-jet.jpg 1024w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-jet-300x202.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1623" class="wp-caption-text">The energy jet of M87. Glow is caused by synchrotron radiation, high-energy electrons moving along a spiral track along the magnetic field, first discovered in 1956 by Geoffrey R. Burbidge’a in M87, confirming predictions Hannes Alfvén and Nicolai Herlofsona of 1950 and Iosif Samuilovicha Shklovskyego 1953. Images – X-ray: H. Marshall (MIT), et al., CXC, NASA<br />Radio: F. Zhou, F. Owen (NRAO), J. Biretta (STScI)<br />Optical: E. Perlman (UMBC), et al., STScI, NASA</figcaption></figure> <p>The <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/virgo-cluster/">Virgo Cluster</a> is divided into at least three subgroups centred on the galaxies M87, <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-49/">M49</a> and <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-86/">M86</a>. The subsystem centred around M87 is known as Virgo A and the one associated with <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-49/">M49</a> as Virgo B. The region around M87 is heavily populated by elliptical and S0-type galaxies and there is a chain of ellipticals aligned with M87’s jet.</p> <p><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-86/">Messier 86</a> and Messier 87 are believed to be moving toward each other and heading for their first encounter. M87 may have interacted with <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-84/">M84</a> in the past, which would explain M87’s truncated halo. However, the truncation may also be a result of contraction caused by unseen mass falling into the galaxy from the rest of the cluster. The unseen mass may be the hypothesized dark matter. Another possible cause of the truncation may be early feedback from M87’s active galactic nucleus, which may have affected the halo formation.</p> <figure id="attachment_1612" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1612" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-84-Messier-86-and-Messier-87.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1612" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-84-Messier-86-and-Messier-87.jpg" alt="m84,m86,m87,virgo galaxies" width="600" height="565" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-84-Messier-86-and-Messier-87.jpg 800w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-84-Messier-86-and-Messier-87-300x282.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1612" class="wp-caption-text">Messier 84, Messier 86 and Messier 87. Image: Wikisky</figcaption></figure> <p>The stars in Virgo A have a spherically symmetric distribution and the most densely populated regions are those closest to the galaxy’s core. The density decreases with increasing distance from the centre.</p> <p>Virgo A contains a supermassive black hole with an estimated mass of 6.5 billion solar masses, one of the most massive black holes known. The object, positioned within the central 60 light years of the galaxy’s core, is orbited by a disk of ionized gas which is rotating at velocities of up to 1,000 km/s. The disk has a diameter of up to 0.39 light years (0.12 parsecs) and is oriented perpendicular to the relativistic jet emerging from M87’s nucleus.</p> <p>The central supermassive black hole is a strong source of radiation in multiple wavelengths, especially radio waves. It is the main component of M87’s active galactic nucleus, which is sometimes known as the Smoking Gun. Observations have indicated that the black hole may be offset from the galaxy’s centre by about 25 parsecs in the direction opposite to the jet. This may suggest that the jet accelerated the black hole away from the galaxy’s centre or that the black hole was displaced as a result of a merger with another galaxy.</p> <figure id="attachment_1624" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1624" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-super-volcano.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1624" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-super-volcano.jpg" alt="m87 x-ray,messier 87 radio" width="600" height="569" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-super-volcano.jpg 1079w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-super-volcano-300x285.jpg 300w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-super-volcano-1024x972.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1624" class="wp-caption-text">This image shows the eruption of a galactic “super-volcano” in the massive galaxy M87, as witnessed by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and NSF’s Very Large Array (VLA). The cluster surrounding M87 is filled with hot gas glowing in X-ray light (and shown in blue) that is detected by Chandra. As this gas cools, it can fall toward the galaxy’s centre where it should continue to cool even faster and form new stars. However, radio observations with the VLA (red) suggest that in M87 jets of very energetic particles produced by the black hole interrupt this process. These jets lift up the relatively cool gas near the centre of the galaxy and produce shock waves in the galaxy’s atmosphere because of their supersonic speed. Image – X-ray: NASA/CXC/KIPAC/N. Werner et al Radio: NSF/NRAO/AUI/W. Cotton</figcaption></figure> <p>Messier 87 has an enormous population of globular clusters, with an estimated number of 12,000 globulars, revealed in a survey conducted in 2006. For comparison, the Milky Way contains about 150 to 200 globulars.</p> <p>The first ever hypervelocity globular cluster was detected in M87. Named HVGC-1, the cluster was discovered escaping the galaxy. The discovery indicates that the galaxy has not one but two central supermassive black holes as a result of a collision with another galaxy in the distant past.</p> <p>Almost a hundred ultra-compact dwarfs have been identified in M87. Ultra-compact dwarfs are similar to globular clusters, but have a diameter of 33 light years or more. It is unclear whether they are a new class of globulars or dwarf galaxies absorbed by M87.</p> <p>Messier 87 is one of the brightest known radio sources in the sky. A strong radio source coinciding with the position of M87 was detected in 1947 and labelled Virgo A. The source was identified as M87 by 1953, with the relativistic jet emanating from the galaxy’s core suggested as a likely cause.</p> <figure id="attachment_1611" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1611" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-Cluster.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1611" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-Cluster.jpg" alt="virgo cluster galaxies,galaxies in virgo" width="600" height="600" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-Cluster.jpg 800w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-Cluster-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-Cluster-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Virgo-Cluster-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1611" class="wp-caption-text">Virgo Cluster. Image: Wikisky</figcaption></figure> <p>Messier 87 is also a strong source of X-ray emissions. It is positioned near the centre of a hot, X-ray emitting cloud that extends far over the <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/virgo-cluster/">Virgo Cluster</a>. The X-ray emissions have destroyed most of the interstellar dust, leaving only about 70,000 solar masses of dusty material in M87, which is less than that found in the Milky Way, which contains about 108 million solar masses of dust.</p> <p>Virgo X-1, the first extragalactic X-ray source, was detected in April 1965. It was the first source of radio emission discovered in the constellation <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/virgo-constellation/">Virgo</a>.</p> <p>Messier 87 is also a very strong source of gamma rays, which have been observed in the galaxy since the late 1990s. Observations with the HESS Cherenkov telescopes in 2006 revealed that the gamma ray flux changes over a matter of days. The short period variations make the region immediately surrounding the central supermassive black hole the most likely candidate for the gamma ray source.</p> <p><figure id="attachment_1625" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1625" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-radio-image.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1625" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-radio-image.jpg" alt="m87 radio wavelengths,m87 core,virgo a jet" width="600" height="480" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-radio-image.jpg 1280w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-radio-image-300x240.jpg 300w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-radio-image-1024x819.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1625" class="wp-caption-text">[top left] – This radio image of the galaxy M87, taken with the Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope in February 1989, shows giant bubble-like structures where radio emission is thought to be powered by the jets of subatomic particles coming from the galaxy’s central black hole. The false color corresponds to the intensity of the radio energy being emitted by the jet. M87 is located 50 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. <br />[top right] – A visible light image of the giant elliptical galaxy M87, taken with NASA Hubble Space Telescope’s Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 in February 1998, reveals a brilliant jet of high-speed electrons emitted from the nucleus (diagonal line across image). The jet is produced by a 3-billion-solar-mass black hole.<br />[bottom] – A Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) radio image of the region close to the black hole, where an extragalactic jet is formed into a narrow beam by magnetic fields. The false color corresponds to the intensity of the radio energy being emitted by the jet. The red region is about 1/10 light-year across. The image was taken in March 1999.<br />Credit: NASA, National Radio Astronomy Observatory/National Science Foundation, John Biretta (STScI/JHU), and Associated Universities, Inc.</figcaption></figure> A supernova occurred in M87 in February 1919, but was only discovered on photographic plates by the Russian astronomer Innokentii A. Balanowski in 1922. Balanowski estimated the supernova’s peak magnitude at 11.5, corresponding to an absolute magnitude of almost -20.</p> <p>Edwin Hubble categorized M87 as an elliptical extra-galactic nebula with no apparent elongation in 1926. At the time, M87 was the only elliptical nebula with resolvable stars. By 1931, Hubble identified it as a member of the <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/virgo-cluster/">Virgo Cluster</a>. M87 was not identified as an E0-type galaxy until 1956. The classification was later modified to E0p, with the ‘p’ suffix indicating a peculiar galaxy, referring to its jet.</p> <p>Virgo A is also classified as a type-cD galaxy, a supergiant D class galaxy, one with an elliptical-like nucleus and an extensive dustless envelope.</p> <p>In June 2015, observations with the FLAMES spectrograph on ESO’s Very Large Telescope revealed that M87 has absorbed an entire medium-sized galaxy in the last billion years. Astronomers tracked the motions of 300 planetary nebulae and found evidence of both the merger and of excess light coming from the remains of the smaller galaxy. Some of the nebulae in M87’s enormous halo were discovered to be moving toward us while others were receding. A large portion of M87’s outer halo now appears twice as bright as it would if the merger had not occurred and the stars absorbed from the smaller galaxy are scattered over a region about 100 times larger than the entire absorbed galaxy was. The galaxy is believed to have been a star forming spiral because the collision added some younger, bluer stars to M87.</p> <figure id="attachment_1597" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1597" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Markarians-Chain.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1597" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Markarians-Chain.jpg" alt="Markarian's Chain. Image: Wikisky" width="600" height="600" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Markarians-Chain.jpg 800w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Markarians-Chain-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Markarians-Chain-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Markarians-Chain-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1597" class="wp-caption-text">M87 and <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/markarians-chain/">Markarian’s Chain</a>. Image: Wikisky</figcaption></figure> <p>Virgo A was discovered by Charles Messier on March 18, 1781, along with seven other members of the <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/virgo-cluster/">Virgo Cluster</a> – <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-84/">M84</a>, <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-85/">M85</a>, <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-86/">M86</a>, <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-88/">M88</a>, <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-89/">M89</a>, <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-90/">M90</a> and <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-91/">M91</a> – and the globular cluster <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-92/">M92</a>, located in the constellation <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/hercules-constellation/">Hercules</a>. Messier noted:</p> <blockquote><p>Nebula without star, in <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/virgo-constellation/">Virgo</a>, below & very near a star of eighth magnitude, the star having the same Right Ascension as the nebula, & its Declination was 13d 42′ 21″ north. This nebula appears at the same luminosity as the two nebulae Nos. 84 and 86.</p></blockquote> <p>John Herschel catalogued M87 as h 1301 and later added it to the General Catalogue as GC 3035. He described the object as “very bright; very large; round; much brighter toward the middle.”</p> <p>Heber Curtis photographed M87 with the Crossley Reflector at the Lick Observatory and offered the following description:</p> <blockquote><p>NGC 4486, RA=12:25.8, Dec=+12:57. Exceedingly bright; the sharp nucleus shows well in 5m exposure. The brighter central portion is about 0.5′ in diameter, and the total diameter is about 2′; nearly round. No spiral structure is discernible. A curious straight ray lies in a gap in the nebulosity in p.a. 20deg, apparently connected with the nucleus by a thin line of matter. The ray is brightest at its inner end, which is 11″ from the nucleus. 20 s.n.</p></blockquote> <h3 style="text-align: center;">FACTS</h3> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Object: Galaxy </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Type: Elliptical </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Class: E+0-1 pec, NLRG Sy</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Designations: Messier 87, M87, NGC 4486, Virgo A, Smoking Gun, Virgo X-1, PGC 41361, UGC 7654, Arp 152, VCC 1316, 3C 274, 3U 1228+12, 1A 1228+12, GIN 800, H 1227+12, CTA 54, DA 325, DB 85, 2E 2744, 2E 1228.2+1240, GALEX J123049.4+122328, IRAS 12282+1240, 2MASX J12304942+1223279, MCG+02-32-105, MRC 1228+126, NRAO 401, NRL 8, PKS 1228+12, VPC 771</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Features: Enormous relativistic jet </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Constellation: <a href="https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/virgo-constellation/">Virgo</a> </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Right ascension: 12h 30m 49.42338s </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Declination: +12°23’28.0439” </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Distance: 53.5 million light years (16.40 megaparsecs) </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Number of stars: 1 trillion </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Apparent magnitude: +9.59 </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Absolute magnitude: -22 </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Apparent dimensions: 7′.2 x 6′.8 </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Radius: 60,000 light years </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Redshift: 0.004360 </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Heliocentric radial velocity: 1,307 km/s </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="619"><strong>Galactocentric velocity: 1,254 km/s </strong></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3 style="text-align: center;">LOCATION</h3> <figure id="attachment_1618" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1618" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-location.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1618" src="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-location.png" alt="m87 location,where is virgo a,find messier 87" width="600" height="508" srcset="https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-location.png 1210w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-location-300x254.png 300w, https://www.messier-objects.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Messier-87-location-1024x867.png 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1618" class="wp-caption-text">Messier 87 location. Image: IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)</figcaption></figure> </div><div class="nv-tags-list"><span>Tags:</span><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/abell-2029/ title="Abell 2029" class=abell-2029 rel="tag">Abell 2029</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/arp-152/ title="Arp 152" class=arp-152 rel="tag">Arp 152</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/denebola/ title="Denebola" class=denebola rel="tag">Denebola</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/edwin-hubble/ title="Edwin Hubble" class=edwin-hubble rel="tag">Edwin Hubble</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/gc-3035/ title="GC 3035" class=gc-3035 rel="tag">GC 3035</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/h-1301/ title="h 1301" class=h-1301 rel="tag">h 1301</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/halton-arp/ title="Halton Arp" class=halton-arp rel="tag">Halton Arp</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/heber-curtis/ title="Heber Curtis" class=heber-curtis rel="tag">Heber Curtis</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/hvgc-1/ title="HVGC-1" class=hvgc-1 rel="tag">HVGC-1</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/ic-1101/ title="IC 1101" class=ic-1101 rel="tag">IC 1101</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/innokentii-a-balanowski/ title="Innokentii A. Balanowski" class=innokentii-a-balanowski rel="tag">Innokentii A. Balanowski</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/john-herschel/ title="John Herschel" class=john-herschel rel="tag">John Herschel</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m49/ title="M49" class=m49 rel="tag">M49</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m84/ title="M84" class=m84 rel="tag">M84</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m85/ title="M85" class=m85 rel="tag">M85</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m86/ title="M86" class=m86 rel="tag">M86</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m87/ title="M87" class=m87 rel="tag">M87</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m88/ title="M88" class=m88 rel="tag">M88</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m89/ title="M89" class=m89 rel="tag">M89</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m90/ title="M90" class=m90 rel="tag">M90</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m91/ title="M91" class=m91 rel="tag">M91</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/m92/ title="M92" class=m92 rel="tag">M92</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/messier-49/ title="Messier 49" class=messier-49 rel="tag">Messier 49</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/messier-84/ title="Messier 84" class=messier-84 rel="tag">Messier 84</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/messier-86/ title="Messier 86" class=messier-86 rel="tag">Messier 86</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/messier-87/ title="Messier 87" class=messier-87 rel="tag">Messier 87</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/messier-89/ title="Messier 89" class=messier-89 rel="tag">Messier 89</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/ngc-4378/ title="NGC 4378" class=ngc-4378 rel="tag">NGC 4378</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/ngc-4476/ title="NGC 4476" class=ngc-4476 rel="tag">NGC 4476</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/ngc-4478/ title="NGC 4478" class=ngc-4478 rel="tag">NGC 4478</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/ngc-4486/ title="NGC 4486" class=ngc-4486 rel="tag">NGC 4486</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/ngc-4486a/ title="NGC 4486A" class=ngc-4486a rel="tag">NGC 4486A</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/ngc-4486b/ title="NGC 4486B" class=ngc-4486b rel="tag">NGC 4486B</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/otto-struve/ title="Otto Struve" class=otto-struve rel="tag">Otto Struve</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/smoking-gun/ title="Smoking Gun" class=smoking-gun rel="tag">Smoking Gun</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/vindemiatrix/ title="Vindemiatrix" class=vindemiatrix rel="tag">Vindemiatrix</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/virgo-a/ title="Virgo A" class=virgo-a rel="tag">Virgo A</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/virgo-b/ title="Virgo B" class=virgo-b rel="tag">Virgo B</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/virgo-cluster/ title="Virgo Cluster" class=virgo-cluster rel="tag">Virgo Cluster</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/virgo-constellation/ title="Virgo Constellation" class=virgo-constellation rel="tag">Virgo Constellation</a><a href=https://www.messier-objects.com/tag/virgo-x-1/ title="Virgo X-1" class=virgo-x-1 rel="tag">Virgo X-1</a> </div> <div id="comments" class="comments-area"> </div> </article> <div class="nv-sidebar-wrap col-sm-12 nv-right blog-sidebar" > <aside id="secondary" role="complementary"> <div id="text-3" class="widget widget_text"> <div class="textwidget"> <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-0663561204264333" data-ad-slot="7505940549" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </div><div id="text-2" class="widget widget_text"><p class="widget-title">Messier Objects</p> <div class="textwidget"><p><a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-1-crab-nebula/">Messier 1: Crab Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-2/">Messier 2</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-3/">Messier 3</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-4/">Messier 4</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-5/">Messier 5</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-6-butterfly-cluster/">Messier 6: Butterfly Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-7-ptolemys-cluster/">Messier 7: Ptolemy Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-8-lagoon-nebula/">Messier 8: Lagoon Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-9/">Messier 9</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-10/">Messier 10</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-11-wild-duck-cluster/">Messier 11: Wild Duck Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-12-gumball-globular/">Messier 12: Gumball Globular</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-13-hercules-globular-cluster/">Messier 13: Hercules Globular Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-14/">Messier 14</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-15-great-pegasus-cluster/">Messier 15: Great Pegasus Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-16-eagle-nebula/">Messier 16: Eagle Nebula</a><br /> * <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/pillars-of-creation/">Pillars of Creation</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-17-omega-nebula/">Messier 17: Omega Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-18/">Messier 18</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-19/">Messier 19</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-20-trifid-nebula/">Messier 20: Trifid Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-21/">Messier 21</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-22-sagittarius-cluster/">Messier 22: Sagittarius Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-23/">Messier 23</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-24-sagittarius-star-cloud/">Messier 24: Sagittarius Star Cloud</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-25/">Messier 25</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-26/">Messier 26</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-27-dumbbell-nebula/">Messier 27: Dumbbell Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-28/">Messier 28</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-29/">Messier 29</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-30/">Messier 30</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-31-andromeda-galaxy/">Messier 31: Andromeda Galaxy</a><br /> * <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/mayall-ii/">Mayall II</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-32-le-gentil/">Messier 32: Le Gentil</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-33-triangulum-galaxy/">Messier 33: Triangulum Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-34/">Messier 34</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-35/">Messier 35</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-36-pinwheel-cluster/">Messier 36: Pinwheel Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-37/">Messier 37</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-38-starfish-cluster/">Messier 38: Starfish Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-39/">Messier 39</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-40-winnecke-4/">Messier 40: Winnecke 4</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-41/">Messier 41</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-42-orion-nebula/">Messier 42: Orion Nebula</a><br /> * <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/trapezium-cluster/">Trapezium Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-43-de-mairans-nebula/">Messier 43: De Mairan's Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-44-beehive-cluster/">Messier 44: Beehive Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-45-pleiades/">Messier 45: Pleiades</a><br /> * <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/maia-nebula/">Maia Nebula</a><br /> * <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/merope-nebula/">Merope Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-46/">Messier 46</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-47/">Messier 47</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-48/">Messier 48</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-49/">Messier 49</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-50-heart-shaped-cluster/">Messier 50: Heart-Shaped Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-51-whirlpool-galaxy/">Messier 51: Whirlpool Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-52/">Messier 52</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-53/">Messier 53</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-54/">Messier 54</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-55-summer-rose-star/">Messier 55: Summer Rose Star</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-56/">Messier 56</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-57-ring-nebula/">Messier 57: Ring Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-58/">Messier 58</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-59/">Messier 59</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-60/">Messier 60</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-61/">Messier 61</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-62/">Messier 62</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-63-sunflower-galaxy/">Messier 63: Sunflower Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-64-black-eye-galaxy/">Messier 64: Black Eye Galaxy</a><br /> * <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/leo-triplet/">Leo Triplet</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-65/">Messier 65</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-66/">Messier 66</a><br /> * <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/ngc-3628-hamburger-galaxy/">NGC 3628: Hamburger Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-67-king-cobra-cluster/">Messier 67: King Cobra Cluster</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-68/">Messier 68</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-69/">Messier 69</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-70/">Messier 70</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-71/">Messier 71</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-72/">Messier 72</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-73/">Messier 73</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-74-phantom-galaxy/">Messier 74: Phantom Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-75/">Messier 75</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-76-little-dumbbell-nebula/">Messier 76: Little Dumbbell Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-77-cetus-a/">Messier 77: Cetus A</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-78/">Messier 78</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-79/">Messier 79</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-80/">Messier 80</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-81-bodes-galaxy/">Messier 81: Bode's Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-82-cigar-galaxy/">Messier 82: Cigar Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-83-southern-pinwheel-galaxy/">Messier 83: Southern Pinwheel Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-84/">Messier 84</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-85/">Messier 85</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-86/">Messier 86</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-87-virgo-a/">Messier 87: Virgo A</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-88/">Messier 88</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-89/">Messier 89</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-90/">Messier 90</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-91/">Messier 91</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-92/">Messier 92</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-93/">Messier 93</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-94-cats-eye-galaxy/">Messier 94: Cat's Eye Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-95/">Messier 95</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-96/">Messier 96</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-97-owl-nebula/">Messier 97: Owl Nebula</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-98/">Messier 98</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-99-coma-pinwheel/">Messier 99: Coma Pinwheel</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-100/">Messier 100</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-101-pinwheel-galaxy/">Messier 101: Pinwheel Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-102-spindle-galaxy/">Messier 102: Spindle Galaxy</a><br /> <a href="https://www.messier-objects.com/messier-103/">Messier 103</a><br /> <a 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