Messier 61-70

M61 (NGC 4303), Virgo. RA 12:21 59, DEC 04:28 25

M61 is a spiral galaxy in the impressive Virgo Cluster, six supernova have been discovered here. It is one of the largest galaxies in the cluster at over 100,000 light years across, the same as the Milky Way’s diameter. This might be how our own Galaxy looks from deep space. M61 is at magnitude 9.7

 

 

M62 (NGC 6266), Ophiuchus. RA 17:01 2, DEC -30:07

M62 is a globular cluster 100 light years across, it is one of the most out of shape and irregular globulars. It is only 6,100 light years from the galactic centre,and this is probably the reason why. The gravity of the galactic centre exerts tidal forces and distorts the cluster. This globular covers an area in the sky half the full Moon of 15 arc minutes. It has probably undergone core collapse, as have a number of other globulars. Core collapse is the result of stars in the centre crowding around a massive object, and the core of M62 is certainly very dense. M62 is at magnitude 6.5

 

 

M63, The Sunflower Galaxy (NGC 5055), Canes Venatici. RA 13:15 49, DEC 42:01 45

M63, The Sunflower Galaxy is a galaxy that is part of the group that contains M51 the Whirlpool Galaxy, at 25 million light years distance M63 is 100,000 light years across. It has a structure different to other spirals in that it has lots of shorter arms that form into arcs. This makes it look like a flower in interstellar space, hence the name. The Sunflower Galaxy is at magnitude 11.6

M64, The Blackeye Galaxy (NGC 4826), Coma Berenices. RA 12:56 7, DEC 21:41

M64, The Blackeye Galaxy is a famous spiral about 17 million light years away, and 51,000 light years across making it around half the size of the Milky Way. It’s name comes from the dark band of dust that crosses the galaxy’s centre. This city of stars though has a surprise, the outer section rotates in a different direction than the inner section. Astronomers believe this is due to a galactic collision over a billion years ago. At the point where the two disks rub together intense star formation is taking place. The dust band can be seen in smaller telescopes, and the galaxy can be seen in good binoculars, but it’s a rewarding sight in larger telescopes. M64 is at magnitude 8.5

 

 

M65 (NGC 3623), Leo. RA 11:18 56, DEC 13:05 32

M65 is a spiral galaxy about 35 million light years away which is one of the “Leo Triplet”, a small collection of galaxies. It’s disk appears slightly warped as is probably due to a brush with the other two galaxies in the triplet, 800 million years ago. M65 has a large population of older stars compared to new stars. M65 is at magnitude 10.25 and can be seen together with M66 in binoculars on a clear night.

M66 (NGC 3627), Leo. RA 11:20 15, DEC 12:59 30

M66 is a spiral galaxy 36 million light years away, and 95,000 light years across, it is one of the “Leo Triplet” galaxy group. It is much larger than M65, and has distorted arms from interactions with it’s neighbours. It can be seen in binoculars on a good night. M66 is at magnitude 8.9

 

 

M67 (NGC 2682), Cancer. RA 08:50 4, DEC 11:49

M67 is an open cluster 2,700 light years from Earth, has more than 100 sun like stars including many red giants, and is one of the oldest at an amazing 4 billion years at the latest estimate. It’s age puts it in the same age scale as our Sun and the stars in this cluster have been found to have the same chemical composition as our Sun. M67 has a magnitude of 6.1

 

 

M68 (NGC 4590), Hydra. 12:39 28, DEC -26:44 35

M68 is a globular cluster 33,000 light years away, 106 light years across, and approaching us at 112 km/sec. It is a difficult cluster to observe for northern astronomers as M68 lies in the hemisphere opposite to the galactic centre. To see this one at least a 4 inch telescope is required, although it can be seen as a faint nebulous patch in binoculars. Larger telescopes will show a rich collection of stars to it’s core. M68 is at magnitude 7.8

 

 

M69 (NGC 6637), Sagittarius. RA 18:31 23, DEC -32:20 52

M69 is a globular cluster 27,900 light years from Earth, is about 42 light years across, and is a close neighbour of globular cluster M70. M69 is quite close to the galactic centre and is at magnitude 8.3

 

 

M70 (NGC 6681), Sagittarius. RA 18:43 12, DEC -32:17 30

M70 is the neighbour and almost the twin of globular cluster M69, being the same size and brightness. Only 1,800 light years separating the two clusters, M70 is at 29,300 light years from us and at magnitude 9.0