My guess is Mizar is the first double star most people ever see. When Ursa Major (the “Big Dipper”) takes its place high in the springtime sky, casual skygazers can point out the bright double star in the middle of the ladle called Mizar. Its companion, called Alcor, shines almost as bright, making both starsContinueContinue reading “Mizar: A Double Star Known for Generations”
Category Archives: Messier Objects
Messier 92 (NGC 6341): A Chandelier of Stars
On summer nights, when the constellation Hercules makes its way to the top of the sky, two of the greatest globular clusters tag along: Messier 13 and Messier 92. These ancient objects of the universe are must-see objects, and one can get a good view of them with a simple pair of binoculars. Many observersContinueContinue reading “Messier 92 (NGC 6341): A Chandelier of Stars”
Messier 60 (NGC 4649): Hubble’s Fastest Moving Galaxy
Messier 60 is a giant elliptical galaxy in the Virgo constellation. It’s best viewed in spring. According to NASA, M60 has a diameter of 120,000 light-years and is as massive as one trillion suns. At its center is a supermassive black hole with a mass 4.5 billion times that of our sun. It’s easy toContinueContinue reading “Messier 60 (NGC 4649): Hubble’s Fastest Moving Galaxy”
Messier 86 (NGC 4406): A Galaxy Not Running Away
Astronomers are unsure which is the best description for Messier 86 as it falls between an elliptical or a lenticular galaxy. It resides in the Virgo constellation and is best viewed in spring. As I mentioned in my post on Messier 60, the galaxies in Virgo played an essential role in Edwin Hubble’s research inContinueContinue reading “Messier 86 (NGC 4406): A Galaxy Not Running Away”
Messier 40: Also Known as Messier’s Greatest Mistake
Springtime galaxy hunting in Ursa Major is an awarding experience. Observers have their pick of Messier objects from the awe-inducing Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51) to the bright Cigar Galaxy (Messier 82). Then, scrolling through these notable Messier objects, one lands upon Messier 40. Aiming the scope at M40 uncovers a simple pair of stars—no nebula,ContinueContinue reading “Messier 40: Also Known as Messier’s Greatest Mistake”
Messier 94 (NGC 4736): The Cat’s Eye Galaxy
Messier 94 is a spiral galaxy with two distinct rings. It also continues to perplex astronomers as it has little to no dark matter.
Messier 64 (NGC 4826): The Black Eye Galaxy
As NASA points out, M64, or the Black Eye galaxy, is characterized by its bizarre internal motion. The gas in the outer regions of this remarkable galaxy is rotating in the opposite direction from the gas and stars in its inner regions.
Messier 66 (NGC 3627): A Galaxy Member of the Leo Triplet
Messier 66 is best viewed during early springtime. It’s is part of the astronomical family of galaxies called the Leo Triplet.