Spiral galaxy · Virgo

M58

Also known as: NGC 4579

mag 9.86′ across

About

M58 is a spiral galaxy of magnitude 9.8 in Virgo, about 6′ across.

M58 is in the constellation Virgo.
Best evenings: around mid-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 68° 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	M58, NGC 4579, PGC 42168, UGC 7796
Type	Spiral galaxy (Sb)
Magnitude	9.8The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	6′ × 4.6′position angle 90°; the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	22.5 mag/arcsec²Average over its disc, in the blue band: the lower the number, the easier it is to see.
Constellation	Virgo
Right ascension (J2000)	12h 37m 43.5s
Declination (J2000)	+11° 49′ 06″