Galaxy Messier 95 in the Constellation Leo
Taken by Tom Wildoner on January 20, 2026 @
Weatherly, PA, USA
Click photo for larger image
| |
Camera Used: Unavailable Unavailable
Exposure Time: Unavailable
Aperture: Unavailable
ISO: Unavailable
Date Taken: 2026:02:06 11:37:42
|
|
| More images
Details:
Messier 95 (also known as M95 or NGC 3351) is a beautiful barred spiral galaxy located approximately 32 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. It is a prominent member of the M96 Group, which also includes the nearby galaxies M96 and M105. Visually striking, M95 features a well-defined central bar and tightly wound spiral arms that form a nearly circular ring of star formation around its core. This "starburst ring" is a site of intense activity where massive, young stars are born at a rapid rate. In 2012, the galaxy garnered significant attention from the astronomical community when a Type II supernova, designated SN 2012aw, was discovered in one of its spiral arms, providing researchers with a rare opportunity to study the death of a massive star in a relatively close neighbor.
Quick Facts
Constellation: Leo
Distance: ~32 million light-years
Classification: Barred Spiral (SB(r)b)
Apparent Magnitude: 9.7
Galaxy Group: M96 Group (Leo I Group)
Discovery: Pierre Méchain (1781)
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 SCT Telescope, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI2600MC camera running at -20F, 1h 30m using 60 second subs, Celestron CGX-L pier mounted, ZWO EAF and ASIAir Pro, processed in DSS/PixInsight. Image Date: January 20, 2026. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
Photographer's website:
https://www.thedarksideobservatory.com
|
|
|
