M58
NGC 4579
Barred Spiral
Proprietà
Posizione e identificatori
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Descrizione
M58 is a barred spiral galaxy in Virgo, about 62 million light-years from Earth. It is one of the brightest barred spirals in the Virgo Cluster and one of only four barred spirals in the Messier catalog. The galaxy spans about 90,000 light-years and has an active galactic nucleus showing low-level Seyfert characteristics.
Consigli per l'osservazione
Located in the southern Virgo Cluster, about 1 degree west of M59 and M60. In a telescope it appears as a bright, oval glow with a prominent central bulge. The bar and spiral structure require large apertures (12 inches+) and dark skies to detect visually. The galaxy sits in a rich field — M59 and M60 are nearby, and many fainter galaxies populate the area. Best observed from March through June.
Storia
Discovered by Charles Messier on April 15, 1779. Two supernovae have been observed in M58: SN 1988A (Type II) and SN 1989M (Type Ia).
Curiosità
M58 is one of only four barred spiral galaxies in the Messier catalog (along with M91, M95, and M109). Its active galactic nucleus classifies it as a low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (LINER), suggesting a moderately active supermassive black hole at its center.
Foto della comunità (1)
Credit: Credit Line and Copyright Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona. License: CC BY-SA 3.0 us. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Feb 28, 2026