Object of the Season (Spring 2018)

The Sombrero Galaxy (M104) in Virgo

The well-known Sombrero Galaxy is a popular target in Virgo, though at lower declination. Méchain found it on 9 April 1781. The prominent dark lane of the edge-on galaxy should already be visible in smaller instruments.

M104 in Virgo - Credit NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
Image Credit NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA).
Name
M104
Position (2000)
12 39 59.4 -11 37 23 (Vir)
Type
Sa
Magnitude
8.3
Size
8.5' x 5.4' (50,000 ly)
Distance
30.5 Mly
Other Designations
I 42, h 1376, GC 3132, NGC 1952, UGC 293, PGC 42407, MCG -2-32-20

Results of the observations of M104 will be published in DSO 181.

Wolfgang Steinicke - Nebulae and Clusters Section Director