Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Virgo (Vir)  ·  Contains:  IC 3665  ·  IC 3684  ·  IC 809  ·  M 59  ·  M 60  ·  NGC 4621  ·  NGC 4637  ·  NGC 4638  ·  NGC 4647  ·  NGC 4649
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M59 and M60 Elliptical Galaxies, Roger Menard
M59 and M60 Elliptical Galaxies
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M59 and M60 Elliptical Galaxies

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
M59 and M60 Elliptical Galaxies, Roger Menard
M59 and M60 Elliptical Galaxies
Powered byPixInsight

M59 and M60 Elliptical Galaxies

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Description

This is a group of galaxies highlighted by the elliptical galaxies M59 and M60., all in the constellation Virgo.

M60 is an elliptical galaxy (NGC 4649) which forms a pair with NGC 4647 known as Arp 116.  The pair are at different distances and may only recently starting interacting.

59 is close enough to be captured in a single frame with an 11 inch SCT. The pair were discovered by Johann Gottfired while observing Comet Bode. Charles Messier spotted the pair a few days later an d added them to his catalog.

M60 is the dominant member of the M60 group, all of which are part of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies. 

There are several other galaxies visible in this image including NGC 4637, NGC 4638, NGC 4667, IC 3684, IC 809, and IC 3665.

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M59 and M60 Elliptical Galaxies, Roger Menard