M88
NGC 4501
Properties
Position & Identifiers
Visibility
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Eyepiece View
M88 · 8.7′×4.4′ · N up, E left
Surface Brightness & Visibility
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Redshift
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About M88
Description
M88 is a bright spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices, about 47 million light-years from Earth. It is a near-perfect multiple-arm spiral seen at a moderate inclination (about 30 degrees from edge-on), giving it a beautifully elongated appearance. The galaxy spans about 130,000 light-years and is one of the brighter members of the Virgo Cluster.
Observing Tips
Located about 1 degree north-northwest of M91 in the Virgo Cluster. In a telescope it appears as a bright, elongated oval with a well-defined nucleus. The spiral arms require dark skies and 8-inch or larger aperture to detect. M88 is one of the easier Virgo galaxies to appreciate because its tilted orientation gives it a nice shape. Best observed from March through June.
History
Discovered by Charles Messier on March 18, 1781. It is classified as a Seyfert 2 galaxy, indicating an active but obscured nucleus.
Fun Facts
M88 is approaching the center of the Virgo Cluster at high speed and will likely make its closest approach in about 200-300 million years. It is one of the few Virgo galaxies with a well-defined multi-arm spiral pattern clearly visible in photographs.