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NGC 4889

Galaxy Fair (36/100)

Elliptical

NGC 4889 Galaxy Com Visible Level 3 Medium telescope (6-8") - Dark skies recommended
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Properties

Magnitude 11.4
Angular Size 2.6′ × 1.7′
Position Angle 80°
Galaxy Type Elliptical (E4)
pB, pmE, bM, *7 n

Position & Identifiers

RA 13h 00m 06.0s
Dec +27° 58' 00.0"
Constellation Com
Catalog NGC 4889

Visibility

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Eyepiece View

200x TFOV: 0.2° Lim. mag: 14.2
N E

NGC 4889 · 2.6′×1.7′ · N up, E left

Surface Brightness & Visibility

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About NGC 4889

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.