Spiral galaxy · Coma Berenices

M99 Virgo Cluster Pinwheel

Also known as: NGC 4254

mag 9.85′ across

About

M99, the Virgo Cluster Pinwheel, is a spiral galaxy of magnitude 9.8 in Coma Berenices, about 5′ across.

M99 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	M99, NGC 4254, PGC 39578, UGC 7345
Type	Spiral galaxy (Sc)
Magnitude	9.8The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	5′ × 4.7′the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	22.6 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 18m 49.6s
Declination (J2000)	+14° 24′ 59″