Galaxy
Surfboard Galaxy
Barred spiral galaxy · M108 · NGC 3556
Barred spiral galaxy in Ursa Major
Photo: Sloan Digital Sky Survey · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Messier 108 is a barred spiral galaxy about 46 million light-years away from Earth in the northern constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 or 1782. From the Earth, this galaxy is seen almost edge-on.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
Share your location to see where this is in your sky right now.
Key facts
Distance
~46 million light-years
Apparent mag.
+10
Apparent size
8.7′ × 2.2′
Best seen with
Telescope
Catalogue
M108 · NGC 3556
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 108 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 3556.
- Found in the constellation Ursa Major.
- Needs a telescope to see clearly.
