M98
NGC 4192
Spiral
Properties
Position & Identifiers
Visibility
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About M98
Description
M98 is a large, bright spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices, about 44 million light-years from Earth. It is seen nearly edge-on and has a prominent dark dust lane running along its major axis. M98 is one of the few Virgo Cluster galaxies with a blueshift — it is approaching us at about 140 km/s.
Observing Tips
Located about 6 degrees east of Denebola and about 30 arcminutes west of the bright star 6 Comae Berenices. In a telescope it appears as an elongated, spindle-shaped glow with a bright central region and a dust lane visible in 8-inch or larger telescopes. Its nearly edge-on orientation makes it one of the more visually distinctive Virgo galaxies. Best observed from March through June.
History
Discovered by Pierre Mechain on March 15, 1781. Charles Messier cataloged it on April 13, 1781. A supernova (SN 1999cl) was observed in M98 in 1999.
Fun Facts
M98 is one of only a few Virgo Cluster galaxies with a blueshift. Like M86 and M90, this does not mean the galaxy is truly heading toward the Milky Way — it is falling through the Virgo Cluster at high speed in a direction that happens to bring it closer to us. The galaxy has a prominent warped disk, possibly caused by interaction with a nearby companion.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: ESO\n\nAcknowledgements: Flickr user jbarring. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Feb 28, 2026