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| M50, An elliptical galaxy - this image cropped and reduced from the original photo |
| Elliptical galaxy M49 was the first member of the Virgo cluster of galaxies discovered, by Charles Messier who cataloged it on February 19, 1771. M49 is one of the brightest Virgo Cluster galaxies at mag 8.5. Its distance is about 60 million light years. It is one of the giant elliptical galaxies in this great cluster along with M60 and M87. It is estimated to be 160,000 light years wide, which is nearly twice that of our galaxy - considered a large galaxy in it's own right. The fuzzy nebulosity near the brighter star in the upper right is probably a faint, small companion galaxy. It is believed that the otherwise indistinct and amorphous shape of this galaxy is typically what most galaxies evolve into. Like most of the galaxies of the Virgo cluster, it can be found trailing behind the constellation of Leo, and can best be seen in late spring and early summer. It is a bit below the main group of galaxies. |
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10"
F6.3 Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope, (1600mm F.L.) Canon
300D camera, placed at the scopes prime focus |