Messier 87, also known as Virgo A, is one of the largest and most massive galaxies in the local universe, dominating the Virgo Cluster with its immense size and mass. This galaxy is famous for its nearly spherical shape, lack of dust lanes, and a striking jet of energetic plasma extending from its core, powered by a supermassive black hole. M87 contains several trillion stars and an extraordinary number of globular clusters—about 15,000—far surpassing the Milky Way. It is a favorite target for astrophotographers due to its brightness, prominent jet, and the historic image of its central black hole.
Names and Catalog numbers
- Virgo A
- Messier 87 (M87)
- NGC 4486
- UGC 7654
- PGC 41361
- Arp 152
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
Messier 87 is located in the heart of the Virgo Cluster, a rich region of the sky filled with hundreds of galaxies. It lies about 3.5 degrees northwest of the star Rho Virginis, making it relatively easy to find for astrophotographers scanning the constellation Virgo. Neighboring galaxies such as M84 and M86 are visible in the same wide-field astrophotography images, offering a stunning view of the cluster’s core. The galaxy’s position in the spring sky makes it a highlight of the Virgo Cluster, surrounded by a dense population of both spiral and elliptical galaxies.
Nice to Know
- M87’s supermassive black hole was the first ever imaged directly by the Event Horizon Telescope in 2019, making astronomical history.
- The galaxy’s iconic jet, visible in both optical and radio wavelengths, is a favorite subject for advanced astrophotographers with large telescopes and sensitive cameras.
- With an estimated mass of over two trillion solar masses, M87 is one of the most massive galaxies known in the local universe.
- Its population of globular clusters—about 15,000—is vastly greater than that of the Milky Way, making it a unique laboratory for studying star cluster formation.
Brightnes, distance and size
Messier 87 has an apparent magnitude of about 8.6 to 9.6, making it visible in small telescopes under dark skies. It is located approximately 53 to 55 million light-years from Earth and spans about 120,000 to 132,000 light-years in diameter, with its diffuse outer envelope extending even further. In the sky, M87 covers an area of roughly 7.2 by 6.8 arcminutes, making it a prominent and rewarding target for astrophotographers, especially when capturing the galaxy’s surroundings in the Virgo Cluster.