Spiral galaxy · Coma Berenices

M88

Also known as: NGC 4501

mag 9.57′ across

About

M88 is a spiral galaxy of magnitude 9.5 in Coma Berenices, about 7′ across.

M88 is in the constellation Coma Berenices.
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 66° 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	M88, NGC 4501, PGC 41517, UGC 7675
Type	Spiral galaxy (Sb)
Magnitude	9.5The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	7′ × 3.5′position angle 138°; the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	23.2 mag/arcsec²Average over its disc, in the blue band: the lower the number, the easier it is to see.
Constellation	Coma Berenices
Right ascension (J2000)	12h 31m 59.2s
Declination (J2000)	+14° 25′ 13″