Sombrero Galaxy

The Sombrero Galaxy, also known as Messier Object 104 (M104), Spiral Galaxy M104, or NGC 4594, is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo, about 28 million light years away (some sources say as much as 50 million light years).

Related Topics:
NGC - Spiral galaxy - Virgo - Light year

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It has a large, bright core, an unusually large central bulge, and a prominent dust lane, or band of dust in the galactic disc. From Earth, it is seen edge-on, which gives it the appearance of a sombrero about one-fifth of the diameter of the full moon.

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It is an 8th magnitude spiral galaxy of type Sa or Sb, easily visible with small telescopes.

Related Topics:
8th magnitude - Spiral galaxy - Sa or Sb

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