Spiral galaxy · Ursa Major

M109

Also known as: NGC 3992

mag 9.88′ across

About

M109 is a spiral galaxy of magnitude 9.8 in Ursa Major, about 8′ across.

M109 is in the constellation Ursa Major.
Best evenings: around early May it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 27° S.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNot visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars (10×50)A faint smudge, only from a dark site.
Telescope (6–8 inch)A faint oval glow with a brighter middle — no spiral arms without a camera.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	M109, NGC 3992, PGC 37617, UGC 6937
Type	Spiral galaxy (Sbc)
Magnitude	9.8The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	8′ × 5.5′position angle 78°; the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	23.4 mag/arcsec²Average over its disc, in the blue band: the lower the number, the easier it is to see.
Constellation	Ursa Major
Right ascension (J2000)	11h 57m 36.0s
Declination (J2000)	+53° 22′ 28″