Messier 58 is one of the brightest spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster and is notable for its strong central bar and well-defined spiral arms. Discovered by Charles Messier in 1779, it is a favorite target for astrophotographers seeking to capture the classic structure of a barred spiral galaxy. The galaxy’s bright core and intricate dust lanes are visible in medium to large telescopes, while deep exposures reveal subtle outer features and star-forming regions. M58’s location in a rich galaxy cluster provides opportunities to frame it alongside faint neighboring galaxies, adding depth to astrophotographic images.
Names and Catalog numbers
- Messier 58
- M58
- NGC 4579
- UGC 7796
- PGC 42168
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
Messier 58 is located in the heart of the Virgo Cluster, within the constellation Virgo, and is positioned between the stars Vindemiatrix (Epsilon Virginis) and Denebola (Beta Leonis). The galaxy lies near several other Messier objects, including M59, M60, and M89, making this region a rich hunting ground for galaxy group imaging. The field is filled with numerous faint background galaxies, which can be revealed in wide-field astrophotography. M58’s cosmic neighborhood is one of the densest concentrations of galaxies in the sky, offering a wealth of targets for deep-sky imagers.
Nice to Know
- M58 is one of the few barred spiral galaxies in the Messier catalog and is among the brightest members of the Virgo Cluster.
- The galaxy has hosted at least two observed supernovae, making it of interest to both amateur and professional astronomers.
- Its central region is classified as a LINER (Low-Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Region), indicating mild active galactic nucleus activity.
- Astrophotographers can capture M58’s bright bar, dust lanes, and sometimes even hints of its faint outer spiral arms with careful imaging and processing.
Brightnes, distance and size
Messier 58 has an apparent magnitude of about 9.8, making it visible in small to medium telescopes under dark skies, with its structure best seen in larger apertures or long-exposure photographs. The galaxy is approximately 68 million light-years from Earth and spans about 100,000 light-years in diameter. Its apparent size is roughly 5.9 by 4.7 arcminutes, making it a moderately sized but visually striking target for astrophotography, especially when framed with nearby galaxies in the Virgo Cluster.
