Galaxy
Messier 60
Elliptical galaxy · M60 · NGC 4649
Elliptical galaxy in Virgo
Photo: en:NASA, en:STScI, en:WikiSky · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Messier 60 or M60, also known as NGC 4649, is an elliptical galaxy approximately 57 million light-years away in the equatorial constellation of Virgo. Together with NGC 4647, it forms a pair known as Arp 116. Messier 60 and nearby elliptical galaxy Messier 59 were discovered by Johann Gottfried Koehler in April 1779, observing a comet in the same part of the sky. Charles Messier added both to his catalogue about three days after this.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~51–59 million light-years
Apparent mag.
+8.8
Apparent size
7.4′ × 6.0′
Best seen with
Binoculars
Catalogue
M60 · NGC 4649
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 60 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 4649.
- Found in the constellation Virgo.
- Within reach of ordinary binoculars under dark skies.
