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M95

NGC 3351

Galaxy Excellent (65/100)

Barred Spiral

M95 Galaxy Leo Visible Level 4 Large telescope (10"+) - Dark skies recommended
Credit: Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
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Properties

Magnitude 9.7
Angular Size 7.2′ × 4.5′
Position Angle 11°
Distance 38000000 ly
Galaxy Type Barred Spiral (SBb)
Galaxy [Distance: 38000000 ly]

Position & Identifiers

RA 10h 43m 57.7s
Dec +11° 42' 14.0"
Constellation Leo
Catalog M95

Visibility

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About M95

Description

M95 is a barred spiral galaxy in Leo, about 33 million light-years from Earth. It forms a galaxy group with nearby M96 and M105 (the Leo I Group or M96 Group). M95 has a prominent central bar and a compact ring of star formation surrounding the nucleus. The galaxy spans about 46,000 light-years.

Observing Tips

Located about 1 degree west of M96, roughly 10 degrees east of Regulus. In a telescope it appears as a moderately faint, oval glow with a bright, somewhat elongated nucleus (the bar). The ring structure requires large apertures. M96 and M105 are nearby, making this a nice galaxy group to tour. Best observed from February through May.

History

Discovered by Pierre Mechain on March 20, 1781. Charles Messier cataloged it four days later. A Type II supernova (SN 2012aw) was observed in M95 in March 2012, reaching magnitude 13.

Fun Facts

M95 is one of only four barred spirals in the Messier catalog. Its nuclear ring of star formation is remarkably well-defined and compact — only about 2,000 light-years in diameter. The ring is believed to be caused by gas being funneled inward along the bar and piling up at the inner Lindblad resonance.

Community Photos (1)

Credit: Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Credit: Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Skybred Feb 28, 2026