Learn about the supernova SN 2026aaiv disovered on September 1, 2026, in the galaxy NGC 7331 (Caldwell 30) in the constellation Pegasus.
Category Archives: Galaxies
NGC 925: Triangulum’s Lawless Galaxy
Explore Triangulum’s rule-breaking NGC 925 (the Amatha Galaxy). See how this lopsided barred spiral defies physics to birth new stars at its edges.
Messier 89 (NGC 4552): A Cosmic Billiard Ball in Virgo
Learn about Messier 89 and its unique appearance, historical notes, and a backyard sketch of Virgo’s unique cosmic billiard ball through an 8-inch scope.
NGC 2903: A Beautiful Spiral that Messier Missed in Leo
Explore NGC 2903, a bright barred spiral galaxy in Leo that rewards backyard observers as it’s often overlooked for other Messier galaxies.
NGC 4038 and 4039: The Antennae Galaxies
A look at the Antennae Galaxies (NGC 4038/4039): a merging pair in Corvus, starburst activity, and a suburban observation using Seestar S50.
NGC 6946: The Fireworks Galaxy in Cepheus
Discover NGC 6946, the Fireworks Galaxy—an active spiral rich in star formation. Includes Seestar S50 photo, sketch, and backyard observation notes.
Messier 87 (NGC 4486): Home of a Famous Black Hole
Most of the public had never heard of the Messier 87 galaxy until a few years ago. This changed on the morning of April 10, 2019, as scientists released the first image of the supermassive black hole at the heart of M87. When the image appeared in my news feed that morning, I recall rushingContinueContinue reading “Messier 87 (NGC 4486): Home of a Famous Black Hole”
Messier 96 (NGC 3368): Bright Galaxy Light in Leo
Messier 96 is one of those galaxies that can break through the haze of suburban light, as long as one has a modest scope and really transparent conditions. Messier 96 (also known as M96 or NGC 3368) is a spiral galaxy approximately 31 million light-years away from Earth.