M61

barred spiral galaxy · on the Virgo Cluster's southern edge

55.4 million light-years from Earth

Eight supernovae have been seen in it since 1926, more than in any other Messier galaxy. Barnaba Oriani found it in 1779; Messier saw it the same night but took it for the comet he was following. Its arms are busy making new stars.

• about 55 million light-years, uncertain by a fifth · about 112,000 light-years across
• a ring of new stars about 1,600 light-years across circles its core

kind

galaxy

catalogue

M61 · NGC 4303

size

112,000 light-years across