Elliptical galaxy · Virgo

M87 Virgo A

Also known as: NGC 4486

mag 8.68′ across

About

M87 (Virgo A) is an elliptical galaxy of magnitude 8.6 in Virgo, about 8′ across.

M87 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.
Spring Triangle: Hundreds of galaxies inside the triangle, between Denebola and Vindemiatrix; a telescope and a dark sky.

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	M87, NGC 4486, PGC 41361, UGC 7654
Type	Elliptical galaxy (E)
Magnitude	8.6The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	8′ × 7.5′the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	22.8 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 30m 49.4s
Declination (J2000)	+12° 23′ 28″