M64 · galaxy

Black Eye Galaxy

The Black Eye Galaxy is a relatively isolated spiral galaxy 17 million light-years away in the mildly northern constellation of Coma Berenices.

RA12h 56m 43sDec+21° 40' 58"

Image: Judy Schmidt from USA. CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M64
All designations: M64 · NGC 4826 · Black Eye Galaxy
Object type: Galaxy
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Best viewing: Spring

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 12h 56m 43s
Declination (J2000): +21° 40' 58"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —
Redshift (z): 0.001364

III

Visibility tonight

The science

The Black Eye Galaxy is a relatively isolated spiral galaxy 17 million light-years away in the mildly northern constellation of Coma Berenices. It was discovered by Edward Pigott in March 1779, and independently by Johann Elert Bode the following month, as well as by Charles Messier the next year. A dark band of absorbing dust partially in front of its bright nucleus gave rise to its nicknames of the "Black Eye", "Evil Eye", or "Sleeping Beauty" galaxy. M64 is well known among amateur astronomers due to its form in small telescopes and visibility across inhabited latitudes.

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