File:Beacon_of_Light_Messier_86.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Messier 86 is a galaxy located in the constellation Virgo that astronomers have studied as part of efforts to understand the structure and behavior of galaxies in our universe. It is notable as one of the catalogued deep-sky objects that helped early astronomers map and classify the cosmos beyond our own Milky Way.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Constellation
- Virgo
- Right ascension
- 12 26 11.7
- Declination
- +12 ° 56 ′ 46 ″
- Redshift
- −0.000814 ± 0.000017 (−244 ± 5 km/ s )
- Distance
- 52 ± 3 Mly (15.9 ± 1.0 Mpc )
- Type
- S0(3)/E3
- Apparent size v
- 8.9 ′ × 5.8 ′
- Notable features
- displays a rare blue shift
via Wikipedia infobox
~2 min read
Encyclopedic overview
Messier 86 (also known as M86 or NGC 4406) is a bright elliptical or lenticular galaxy in the constellation of 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 large galaxy known as Messier 84. It displays the highest blue shift of all Messier objects, as it is, net of its other vectors of travel, approaching the Milky Way at 244 km/s. This is due to both galaxies falling roughly towards the center of the Virgo cluster from opposing ends.
Messier 86 has a rich array of globular clusters, with a total number of around 3,800. Its halo also has a number of stellar streams interpreted as remnants of dwarf galaxies that have been disrupted and absorbed by this galaxy.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Messier 86” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.