M59 · galaxy

Messier 59

Messier 59 or M59, also known as NGC 4621, is an elliptical galaxy in the equatorial constellation of Virgo.

RA12h 42m 02sDec+11° 38' 49"

Image: Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, L. Ho et al.. CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M59
All designations: M59 · NGC 4621
Object type: Galaxy
Constellation: Virgo
Best viewing: Spring

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 12h 42m 02s
Declination (J2000): +11° 38' 49"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —
Redshift (z): 0.001558

III

Visibility tonight

The science

Messier 59 or M59, also known as NGC 4621, is an elliptical galaxy in the equatorial constellation of Virgo. It is a member of the Virgo Cluster, with the nearest fellow member 8′ away and around 5 magnitudes fainter. The nearest cluster member of comparable brightness is the lenticular galaxy NGC 4638, which is around 17′ away. It and the angularly nearby elliptical galaxy Messier 60 were both discovered by Johann Gottfried Koehler in April 1779 when observing comet seeming close by. Charles Messier listed both in the Messier Catalogue about three days after Koehler's discovery.

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