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Messier 83 |
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 | M83, NGC5236, the `Southern Pinwheel' galaxy, is a type Sc spiral galaxy in the constellation Hydra. The galaxy has two principal arms and a third, fainter one. There has been a remarkable number of supernovae in M83 within less than a century - at least four since 1923 - compared to the theoretical incidence of one per 300 years. This is still a subject of current research and uncertainty. M83 is 10 million light-years away and thirty thousand light-years across. In a 8" scope the best view is at 122x. The core was stellar with a surrounding fuzzy patch of light. The arms of the spiral galaxy appear larger with averted vision, but the shape is still difficult to discern. |
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| You can find more information about this Messier object by visiting: SEDS - The Messier Catalog. |
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M83 NGC5236 Dreyer description: Very remarkable! Very bright, very large, extended 55°, extremely abruptly brighter middle nucleus, 3-branched spiral; = M83. Const: Hydra Magnitude: 8.1 RA: 13h 37m 15.3s Dec: -29°53'31" RA: 13h 37m 00.2s Dec: -29°52'04" (Epoch 2000) Azm: 181°13'06" Alt: +13°49'00" Rise: 16:49 Transit: 20:25 Set: 00:01 Size:12.9' x11.5' |