Messier 96, also known as M96, is an intermediate spiral galaxy with asymmetrical arms and a bright central bulge. It is part of the Leo I Group, interacting gravitationally with neighboring galaxies such as M95 and M105. Discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781, it was later added to Charles Messier’s catalog. Its uneven distribution of dust and gas creates a visually striking appearance for astrophotographers.
Names and Catalog numbers
- Messier: M96
- NGC: NGC 3368
- UGC: UGC 5882
- PGC: NGC 32192
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
Messier 96 is located in the eastern part of the constellation Leo, near the border with Sextans. It can be found at right ascension 10h 46m and declination +11° 49′, making it visible from most Northern Hemisphere locations during spring. It belongs to the Leo I Group, which includes other galaxies such as M95 and M105, forming an interactive group that astrophotographers often capture together.
Nice to Know
- The galaxy’s asymmetrical spiral arms are influenced by gravitational interactions with nearby galaxies.
- A supernova (SN 1998bu) was discovered in Messier 96 in May 1998, providing insights into stellar explosions.
- The galaxy exhibits LINER-type activity in its nucleus, suggesting the presence of a supermassive black hole.
- Messier 96 is part of the Legacy ExtraGalactic UV Survey (LEGUS), offering detailed views of star formation.
Brightness, distance and size
Messier 96 has an apparent magnitude of around 9.2, making it moderately bright and accessible to amateur telescopes under dark skies. It is located approximately 31 million light-years away from Earth and spans about 100,000 light-years in diameter, comparable to the Milky Way. In terms of angular size, it appears as a small object in the night sky with dimensions of roughly 7×5 arcminutes.
