M59
NGC 4621
Properties
Position & Identifiers
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Eyepiece View
M59 · 4.5′×3.2′ · N up, E left
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About M59
Description
M59 is an elliptical galaxy in Virgo, about 60 million light-years from Earth. It is one of the larger ellipticals in the Virgo Cluster, spanning about 90,000 light-years. M59 is notable for harboring a supermassive black hole of about 270 million solar masses and for rotating in the opposite direction to most elliptical galaxies.
Observing Tips
Located between M58 to the west and M60 to the east, forming a small chain. In a telescope it appears as a small, bright, oval glow with a concentrated center — typical of elliptical galaxies. Without nearby reference stars, it can be confused with M60, which is slightly larger and brighter. Best observed from March through June as part of a Virgo Cluster galaxy tour.
History
Discovered by Johann Gottfried Koehler on April 11, 1779. Charles Messier independently found it four days later on April 15, 1779, the same night he cataloged M58 and M60.
Fun Facts
M59 is one of the few elliptical galaxies known to have a central disk of stars rotating counter to the main body — evidence of a past galaxy merger. It contains about 2,200 globular clusters, far more than the Milky Way's approximately 150.