The American Association of Amateur Astronomers
The Constellation Virgo - The Virgin
The constellation of Virgo is the center of the closest large cluster of galaxies, and can easily take up several
evenings of observing time. While the galaxies in Ursa Major are 10-40 million light years
away, the galaxies of Virgo are, at about 70 million light years, almost twice as distant . As such, these galaxies
show a lot less detail. But what they lack in quality, they make up in quantity. In some areas, it is difficult
to move a whole telescopic field of view without seeing one or more galaxies. A good star atlas is a must in this
region for identifying all the galaxies visible in a telescope of moderate aperture. While I'm only going to be
describing some of the brighter members here, I encourage all to try navigating this area. It would be hard not
to improve your observing skills by meeting this challenge head-on.
VIRGO
M-58 - With dimensions of about 5'x2', this is one of the larger galaxies in this region. It is spindle-shaped,
oriented NE-SW, and has a broadly concentrated center. There is a relatively bright star nearby to the west.
M-61 - This galaxy is a face-on spiral, about 6'x4', oriented NNE-SSW. It is fairly even in brightness except
for a stellar nucleus and some faint mottlings on its eastern and western sides.
M-84 and M86 - These relatively bright galaxies are very similar in appearance, and are visible in
the same low-power field of view. M-84 is round, about 3' in diameter, has a large 1' diameter core, and a stellar
nucleus. M-86 is larger (about 4' in diameter), and fainter, and also has a stellar nucleus.
M-87 - This is a very bright galaxy, about 4' in diameter, with a large core and non-stellar nucleus.
M-104 - The Sombrero Galaxy. This is one of the finest showpiece objects in the sky. This beautiful
edge-on galaxy is 8-10'x2', oriented E-W, and has an obvious central bulge, with a distinct dark lane running the
length of the galaxy. This is an object which should not be missed.
NGC 4179 - This galaxy is about 3'x1', extended NW-SE, with very thin tapered edges. It is sharply brighter
to the center with a stellar core.
NGC 4753 - Rather bright, this galaxy is about 4'x2.5', oriented ENE-WSW. It is broadly concentrated to
the center, with a stellar nucleus. At times, I noticed dark markings at the NE side.
NGC 4762 - This galaxy reminds me of a smaller version of the well known edge-on galaxy, NGC 4565. It is
about 4'x0.7', oriented NE-SW, and averted vision hints at a dust lane.
Article © Copyright Rick Raasch
Photos and Text © Copyright Edward P. Flaspoehler, Jr.
Messier Objects in Virgo
|
Con
|
Messier
|
Type
|
R.A.
|
Dec.
|
Mag.
|
Size
|
NGC#
|
|
Vir
|
M49
|
Galaxy
|
12h 29.8
|
8d 1
|
10.0
|
9' X 7.5'
|
4472
|
|
Vir
|
M58
|
Galaxy
|
12h 37.8
|
11d 50
|
11.0
|
5.5' X 4.5'
|
4579
|
|
Vir
|
M59
|
Galaxy
|
12h 42.1
|
11d 39
|
11.5
|
5' X 3.5'
|
4621
|
|
Vir
|
M60
|
Galaxy
|
12h 43.7
|
11d 34
|
10.5
|
7' X 6'
|
4649
|
|
Vir
|
M61
|
Galaxy
|
12h 22.0
|
4d 29
|
10.5
|
6' X 5.5'
|
4303
|
|
Vir
|
M84
|
Galaxy
|
12h 25.1
|
12d 54
|
11.0
|
5.0'
|
4374
|
|
Vir
|
M86
|
Galaxy
|
12h 26.3
|
12d 57
|
11.0
|
7.5' X 5.5'
|
4406
|
|
Vir
|
M87
|
Galaxy
|
12h 30.9
|
12d 24
|
11.0
|
7.0'
|
4486
|
|
Vir
|
M89
|
Galaxy
|
12h 35.7
|
12d 34
|
11.5
|
4.0'
|
4552
|
|
Vir
|
M90
|
Galaxy
|
12h 36.9
|
13d 10
|
11.0
|
9.5' X 4.5'
|
4569
|
|
Vir
|
M104
|
Galaxy
|
12h 39.9
|
-11d 37
|
9.5
|
9' X 4'
|
4594
|
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