Spiral galaxy · Leo

M96

Also known as: NGC 3368

mag 9.28′ across

About

M96 is a spiral galaxy of magnitude 9.2 in Leo, about 8′ across.

M96 is in the constellation Leo.
Best evenings: around mid-April 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.
Sickle of Leo: A group of galaxies 9° east of Regulus; a telescope.

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	M96, NGC 3368, PGC 32192, UGC 5882
Type	Spiral galaxy (Sab)
Magnitude	9.2The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	8′ × 5.3′position angle 5°; the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	23.1 mag/arcsec²Average over its disc, in the blue band: the lower the number, the easier it is to see.
Constellation	Leo
Right ascension (J2000)	10h 46m 45.7s
Declination (J2000)	+11° 49′ 12″