Elliptical galaxy · Virgo

M59

Also known as: NGC 4621

mag 9.85′ across

About

M59 is an elliptical galaxy of magnitude 9.8 in Virgo, about 5′ across.

M59 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.

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

Designations	M59, NGC 4621, PGC 42628, UGC 7858
Type	Elliptical galaxy (E)
Magnitude	9.8The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	5′ × 3.6′position angle 165°; the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	22.7 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 42m 02.2s
Declination (J2000)	+11° 38′ 49″