M104 · galaxy

Sombrero Galaxy

The Sombrero Galaxy is a peculiar galaxy of unclear classification in the constellation borders of Virgo and Corvus, being about 9.55 megaparsecs from the Milky Way galaxy.

RA12h 39m 59sDec−11° 37' 23"

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech. Source: JPL via images.nasa.gov.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M104
All designations: M104 · NGC 4594 · Sombrero Galaxy
Object type: Galaxy
Constellation: Virgo
Best viewing: Spring

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 12h 39m 59s
Declination (J2000): −11° 37' 23"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —
Redshift (z): 0.003633

III

Visibility tonight

The science

The Sombrero Galaxy is a peculiar galaxy of unclear classification in the constellation borders of Virgo and Corvus, being about 9.55 megaparsecs from the Milky Way galaxy. It is a member of the Virgo II Groups, a series of galaxies and galaxy clusters strung out from the southern edge of the Virgo Supercluster. It has an isophotal diameter of approximately 29.09 to 32.32 kiloparsecs, making it slightly larger than the Milky Way.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0