Messier 86

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Messier 86
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation Virgo
Right ascension 12h 26m 11.7s[1]
Declination +12° 56′ 46″[1]
Redshift -244 ± 5 km/s[1]
Distance 52 ± 3 Mly (15.9 ± 1.0 Mpc)[2]
Type S0(3)/E3[1]
Apparent dimensions (V) 8′.9 × 5′.8[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 9.8[1]
Notable features displays a rare blue shift
Other designations
NGC 4406,[1] UGC 7532,[1] PGC 40653,[1] VCC 0881[1]
See also: Galaxy, List of galaxies

Messier 86 (also known as M86 or NGC 4406) is a lenticular galaxy in the constellation Virgo. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1781. M86 lies in the heart of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies and forms a most conspicuous group with another giant, Lenticular Galaxy M84. It displays the highest blue shift of all Messier objects, as it is approaching the Milky Way at 244 km/s. This is thought to be due to its falling towards the center of the Virgo cluster, which brings it closer to us.[3]

This x-ray image by the Chandra Observatory shows the 200,000 light-year long tail on M86
This x-ray image by the Chandra Observatory shows the 200,000 light-year long tail on M86

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Results for NGC 4406. Retrieved on 2006-11-14.
  2. ^ Jensen, Joseph B.; Tonry, John L.; Barris, Brian J.; Thompson, Rodger I.; Liu, Michael C.; Rieke, Marcia J.; Ajhar, Edward A.; Blakeslee, John P. (February 2003). "Measuring Distances and Probing the Unresolved Stellar Populations of Galaxies Using Infrared Surface Brightness Fluctuations". Astrophysical Journal 583 (2): 712-726. doi:10.1086/345430. 
  3. ^ Jacoby, G. H.; Kenney, J. D. P.; Tal, T.; Crowl, H. H.; Feldmeier, J. J. (2005). "Imaging and Spectroscopy of Large Scale H-alpha Filaments in M86". American Astronomical Society Meeting 207, #138.06; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society 37: 1392. 
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Virgo constellation
Stars Virgo symbol
Galaxy cluster
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