Messier 96, also cataloged as NGC 3368, is a barred spiral galaxy in Leo that shines at magnitude 9.25, making it a rewarding target for both visual observers and imagers. With an angular size of 6.6′ × 4.9′ and a surface brightness of around 21.7 mag/arcsec², it sits comfortably within the field of most small to medium telescopes and works well with mid-range focal lengths. Longer exposures are needed to draw out the faint, asymmetric spiral arms and the subtle bar structure that give this galaxy its distinctive lopsided appearance. A telescope in the 500–1000 mm focal length range paired with a cooled camera and generous integration time will best reveal the delicate contrast between its bright core and dim outer disk.
Names and Catalog numbers
- M 96 (Messier 96)
- NGC 3368
- UGC 5882
- PGC 32192
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
Messier 96 (NGC 3368) lies in the constellation Leo at right ascension 10h 46m 45.7s and declination +11° 49′ 12″, placing it well within reach of spring imaging sessions from the northern hemisphere. It is the brightest member of the Leo I Group, a nearby collection of galaxies that includes its neighbors Messier 95 and Messier 105, all of which can be framed together in wide-field astrophotography. This clustering makes the region especially attractive for mosaics or group portraits, since several distinct galaxies of differing form can be captured within a modest area of sky. The galaxy’s moderate elevation from mid-northern latitudes provides steady seeing and comfortable framing throughout the early spring months.
Nice to Know
- Messier 96 is the brightest galaxy in the Leo I Group, making it a natural anchor for wide-field group compositions alongside Messier 95 and Messier 105.
- Its physical diameter spans roughly 65,200 light-years, somewhat smaller than the Milky Way yet richly structured for detailed imaging.
- The galaxy displays a notably asymmetric, lopsided spiral form, offering a more unusual subject than a textbook symmetric spiral.
- At magnitude 9.25 and an angular size of 6.6′ × 4.9′, it is accessible to modest apertures while still rewarding long integrations that reveal its faint outer arms.
Brightness, distance and size
The object has an apparent magnitude of 9.3 mag, it lies about 34.0 million light-years from Earth and spans roughly 65,200 light-years across. On the sky it appears about 6.6′ × 4.9′ in size.
