M95
NGC 3351
Barred Spiral
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Posizione e identificatori
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Su M95
Descrizione
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.
Consigli per l'osservazione
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.
Storia
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.
Curiosità
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.
Foto della comunità (1)
Credit: Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Feb 28, 2026