M74
Phantom Galaxy
Spiral
Properties
Position & Identifiers
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About M74
Description
The Phantom Galaxy is a grand-design face-on spiral galaxy in Pisces, about 32 million light-years from Earth. Its two clearly defined spiral arms are textbook examples of spiral structure. M74 spans about 95,000 light-years and contains about 100 billion stars. It has relatively low surface brightness, earning it the 'Phantom' nickname.
Observing Tips
Located about 1.5 degrees east-northeast of Eta Piscium. M74 is notoriously difficult to observe due to its very low surface brightness — it is often cited as the hardest Messier object to find visually. It requires dark, transparent skies and a wide-field, low-power eyepiece. Even then, it appears as a faint, ghostly, round glow. The spiral arms are only visible in 10-inch or larger telescopes under excellent conditions. Best observed from October through January.
History
Discovered by Pierre Mechain in September 1780 and cataloged by Charles Messier on October 18, 1780. Two supernovae have been observed: SN 2002ap (a rare hypernova) and SN 2003gd. The James Webb Space Telescope produced a stunning infrared image of M74 in 2022.
Fun Facts
M74 is the poster child for grand-design spiral structure — its face-on orientation and nearly perfect two-arm pattern make it a favorite for textbooks and astrophotography. The 2002 hypernova in M74 (SN 2002ap) was a rare Type Ic event — a massive star that exploded after losing all its hydrogen and helium layers.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: ESO/PESSTO/S. Smartt. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Feb 28, 2026