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Messier 60 |
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 | M60 is a large elliptical galaxy in the constellation Virgo, being about 120,000 light-years across. It stands out in even small telescopes due to the proximity of the late-type spiral NGC4647 (to the NW), but such apertures may only see the central brighter regions, making M60 look considerably smaller. M60 has a large system of faint globular clusters, many thousands being visible in deep pictures: more than a few can be seen here. M60 is a member of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, which is the dominant cluster in our Local Supercluster and about 60 million light-years away. Looks much like M59 but somewhat brighter and rounder. In between the two galaxies is the fainter NGC 4638 which appears as an elongated galaxy with a bright center. M60's companion NGC 4647, about as bright as NGC 4638, will be a problem in a 8". |
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| You can find more information about this Messier object by visiting: SEDS - The Messier Catalog. |
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M60 NGC4649 Dreyer description: Very bright, pretty large, round, eastward of double nebula; = M60. Other ID: UGC7898 Other ID: MCG2-33-2 Other ID: MESS60 Other ID: PGC42831 Magnitude: 9.6 RA: 12h 43m 53.7s Dec: +11°31'33" RA: 12h 43m 40.2s Dec: +11°32'58" (Epoch 2000) Azm: 01°19'20" Alt: -32°10'55" Rise: 12:32 Transit: 19:24 Set: 02:19 Size: 7.4' x 6.0' |