Messier 96

Messier 96
ESO's Very Large Telescope image of Messier 96, also known as NGC 3368. It shows its core displaced from the centre, its gas and dust are distributed asymmetrically and its spiral arms are ill-defined.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation	Leo
Right ascension	10h 46m 45.7s[1]
Declination	+11° 49′ 12″[1]
Redshift	897 ± 4 km/s[1]
Distance	31 ± 3 Mly (9.6 ± 1.0 Mpc)[2]
Type	SAB(rs)ab[1]
Apparent dimensions (V)	7′.6 × 5′.2[1]
Apparent magnitude (V)	+10.1[1]
Other designations
NGC 3368,[1] UGC 5882,[1] PGC 32192[1]
See also: Galaxy, List of galaxies

Messier 96 (also known as NGC 3368) is an intermediate spiral galaxy about 31 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781.

M96 Group

M96 is the brightest galaxy within the M96 Group, a group of galaxies in the constellation Leo also includes the Messier objects M95 and M105, as well as at least nine other galaxies.^[3][4][5][6] The M96 galaxy has asymmetric arms and a displaced core, probably caused by the gravitational pull by the other nearby galaxies.

Messier 96 with amateur telescope

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for NGC 3368. http://nedwww.ipac.caltech.edu/. Retrieved 2006-10-24. 
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. (2003). "Measuring Distances and Probing the Unresolved Stellar Populations of Galaxies Using Infrared Surface Brightness Fluctuations". Astrophysical Journal 583 (2): 712–726. arXiv:astro-ph/0210129. Bibcode 2003ApJ...583..712J. doi:10.1086/345430. 
3. ^ Nearby Galaxies Catalog. Cambridge University Press. 1988. ISBN 0-521-35299-1. 
4. ^ P. Fouque, E. Gourgoulhon, P. Chamaraux, G. Paturel (1992). "Groups of galaxies within 80 Mpc. II - The catalogue of groups and group members". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement 93: 211–233. Bibcode 1992A&AS...93..211F. 
5. ^ A. Garcia (1993). "General study of group membership. II - Determination of nearby groups". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement 100: 47–90. Bibcode 1993A&AS..100...47G. 
6. ^ G. Giuricin, C. Marinoni, L. Ceriani, A. Pisani (2000). "Nearby Optical Galaxies: Selection of the Sample and Identification of Groups". Astrophysical Journal 543 (1): 178–194. arXiv:astro-ph/0001140. Bibcode 2000ApJ...543..178G. doi:10.1086/317070. 

External links

• NOAO: M96
• SEDS: Spiral Galaxy M96
• Messier 96 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images

Coordinates: 10^h 46^m 45.7^s, +11° 49′ 12″