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Encyclopedia > NGC 4486

Article Content

M87

Redirected from NGC 4486

Observation data
TypeE1
Right ascension (RA, α) (J2000,00) 12 h 30.8 m
Declination (Dec, δ) (J2000,00) +12° 24'
Distance from Earth 60 millions LY (18.4 Mpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)  +8.6m
Apparent dimension(s) (V)  7.0'
Physical characteristics
Mass (Sun=1) > 1.0 × 1012
Diameter 120,000 light years
Color (B-V)  
Absolute magnitude -22m
Peculiarities -Radio emission
-jet from galaxy core
-huge (13,000)
globular cluster system
Other denominations NGC 4486
Virgo A radio source
Arp 152

M87 (NGC 4486) is a giant elliptical galaxy, dominating the Virgo cluster. It is one of the biggest known galaxies. Its relative closeness makes it a preferred target for studying the high-energy activities currently going on in its nucleus, suspected of holding a supermassive black hole. Astronomers believe that the black hole in this galaxy is approximately 3×109 solar masses.

See also: 

 Messier 87 (http://www.seds.org/messier/m/m087), SEDS Messier pages


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