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C35

NGC 4889

Galaxy Good (41/100)

Elliptical

C35 Galaxy Coma Berenices Visible Level 3 Medium telescope (6-8") - Dark skies recommended
Credit: NASA Hubble. License: CC BY 2.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
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Properties

Magnitude 11.4
Angular Size 2.6′ × 1.7′
Position Angle 80°
Distance 300000000 ly
Galaxy Type Elliptical (E)
Elliptical Galaxy [Distance: 300000000 ly]

Position & Identifiers

RA 13h 00m 07.9s
Dec +27° 58' 37.2"
Constellation Coma Berenices
Catalog C35

Visibility

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About C35

Description

NGC 4889 is a supergiant elliptical galaxy in the Coma Cluster, about 308 million light-years away. It is the brightest member of the Coma Cluster and one of the largest galaxies known, with a diameter of roughly 240,000 light-years.

Observing Tips

Visible as a small, round glow in an 8-inch telescope. The challenge is distinguishing it from the many other Coma Cluster galaxies in the field. Best in spring evenings at medium to high magnification.

History

Cataloged by William Herschel on April 11, 1785, as part of his sweeping surveys. The Coma Cluster was one of the first galaxy clusters recognized as a physical grouping.

Fun Facts

NGC 4889 harbors one of the largest known black holes, with an estimated mass of 21 billion solar masses — about 5,000 times the mass of the Milky Way's central black hole.

Community Photos (1)

Credit: NASA Hubble. License: CC BY 2.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Credit: NASA Hubble. License: CC BY 2.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Skybred Mar 2, 2026