Spiral Galaxy M61 Spiral Galaxy M61 Trigger Street Productions Category="Intermediate spiral galaxies"Category="Messier objects"Category="NGC objects"Category="Virgo Cluster"

**M61**

Galaxy	listing of galaxies

[image]

M61
Observation data(Epoch J2000.0)
Type SABbc
Right ascension 12^h 21.9^m
Declination +4° 28′
Distance 60 million ly
Apparent magnitude (V) +9.7
Apparent dimensions (V) 6 × 5.5 arcmins
Constellation Virgo
Physical characteristics
Radius 50,000 lightyears
Absolute magnitude (V) -21.2
Notable features -
Other designations NGC 4303

**M61**

Observation data(Epoch J2000.0)
Type	SABbc
Right ascension	12^h 21.9^m
Declination	+4° 28′
Distance	60 million ly
Apparent magnitude (V)	+9.7
Apparent dimensions (V)	6 × 5.5 arcmins
Constellation	Virgo
Physical characteristics
Radius	50,000 lightyears
Absolute magnitude (V)	-21.2
Notable features	-
Other designations	NGC 4303

Spiral Galaxy M61 (also known as Messier Object 61 or NGC 4303) is a large Spiral galaxy of type SABbc in the Virgo cluster. It was discovered by Barnabus Oriani on May 5, 1779. M61 is 60 million light-years distant.

At aproximately 100,000 light years in diameter, M61 is one of the larger members of the Virgo Cluster, and is about the same size as the Milky Way Galaxy. Four supernovae have been observed in this galaxy, most recently in 1999.

External link

www.seds.org/messier/m/m061.html