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M59

NGC 4621

Proper NameName
Messier NumberM59
NGC/IC NumberNGC 4621
ConstellationVirgo
Right Ascension12h 42m 2s
Declination+11° 38' 49"
Distancec.50,100,000 light years
c.15,400,000 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +9.59
Absolute: -21.25
Mean DiameterApparent: 4.5'
Actual: 63,600 light years
Hubble TypeE-E/S0 elliptical / lenticular
Optimum VisibilityApril
NotesM59 is an elliptical galaxy, but one in which the elliptical form is compressed and flattened somewhat. Its bright core contains a supermassive black hole, and the galaxy is notable for its extensive halo of globular clusters, with more than two thousand such clusters orbiting around the main galaxy.

M59 is part of a swarm of galaxies that straddle the border between Virgo and Coma Berenices. M59 itself lies on the Virgo side of the border, and is a galaxy of elliptical form.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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