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What You Are Looking At:
The M96 galaxy measures an approximated 66,000 light-years in diameter and is about 31 million light-years from Earth, placing the center of the M96 group about 35 million light-years away. As a small group, its got some extremely interesting things going for it. As Kim Pederson (Danish Space Science Institute, University of Copenhagen) stated in a 2000 research study:
” The nearby (D = 11 Mpc) sparse group of galaxies, Leo-I, remains in many aspects distinct. It is the closest group containing both bright spirals (M96 and M95) and an intense elliptical (M105). A giant (size ca. 200 kpc) intergalactic Hi ring orbits the central M105/NGC3384 galaxy set and appears to interact with M96. If M96 is truly in the group core, the Leo-I group provides an abnormally tidy route to figuring out the Hubble constant. “In our 22 ksec ASCA SIS direct exposure of M96 we have actually found scattered X-ray emission extending more than 10 arcminutes North of M96, in the instructions of the Hi ring. The morphology and spectral attributes of the scattered emission shows that M96 has actually just recently connected with the Hi ring, indicating that M96, the Hi ring and the main galaxy M105 are at the very same range within a couple of percent.”
The M96 Group of galaxies in the heart of the constellation LEO. Credit: Wikisky
History of Observation:
This sophisticated galaxy was first found by Pierre Mechain in 1781 and cataloged by Charles Messier 4 days later March 24, 1781. As Messier composed in his notes: “Nebula without star, in the Lion [Leo], near the preceding [No. 95]: this one is less unique, both are on the same parallel of Regulus: they resemble the 2 nebulae in the Virgin [Virgo], Nos. 84 and 86. M. Mechain saw them both on March 20, 1781.”
, however the brightest part in the middle is more joined to the nebulosity than in the former, and the brilliant part is rather longer, tho not quite so brilliant as in the former. It may still be called cometic, tho it begins to depart a little from that kind.”
Finding Messier 96:
M96 is the southernmost galaxy in the M96 group of galaxies, which consists of M95. With great sky conditions, both M95 and M96 are simple to find in the tummy of the constellation of Leo. Begin by identifying Alpha (Regulus), the brightest, southernmost star in the backward-question-mark asterism. Now, look about a fist-width west where you will see the shallow triangle asterism which marks Leos hips. The westernmost of these stars (Theta) is your next marker.
Look in between the 2 markers for a faint star in a practically central position. You will also see another star just south of your last marker if the skies are best to see this galactic set. M95 and M96 are between these last two stars, and it is the northern most and better of the two. The set can just barely be seen in larger field glasses and although they are faint, perceivable in a small telescope. A bigger aperture will draw out far more details.
Messier 95 and Messier 96 in noticeable light. Credit: Messier Objects/Scott Anttila
Because these are fainter galaxies, they need a dark sky location and can not be seen when theres a background glow, such as what takes place on moonlit nights. Of course, having a supernova event occur is also a big illustration card! In 1999, Saurabh W. Jha (et al.) observed such an occasion and reported the following in their research study:
” We provide near-infrared and optical photometry and spectroscopy of the type Ia SN 1998bu in the Leo I Group galaxy M96 (NGC 3368). The well-sampled light curve suggests the supernova reached maximum light in B on UT 1998 May 19.3 (JD 2450952.8 +/- 0.8) with B = 12.22 +/- 0.03 and V = 11.88 +/- 0.02. “Using the HST Cepheid distance modulus to M96 (Tanvir et al. 1995) and the MLCS fit criteria for the supernova, we derive an extinction-corrected outright magnitude for SN 1998bu at optimum, M_V = -19.42 +/- 0.22.
Messier 95 and 96 area. Credit: Messier Objects/Roberto Mura
Prior to we leave, lets have a look at just one more element of what takes place to galaxies that come in groups. Thats right … interaction! According to a 1989 research study led by Stephen Schneider:
” The M96 group is analyzed at 21 cm to study the galaxies neutral hydrogen content and to search for evidence of interactions that may help explain the origin of the big intergalactic H I feature found there. Concerns about the distance and membership of the M96 group are dealt with. A mass-to-light ratio of less than 30 is discovered for the M96 group.
Enjoy your galaxy-gazing! And here are the quick realities to assist you get going:
Item Name: Messier 96Alternative Designations: M96, NGC 3368Object Type: Type Sa Spiral GalaxyConstellation: LeoRight Ascension: 10: 46.8 (h: m) Declination: +11: 49 (deg: m) Distance: 31 million (Mly) Visual Brightness: 9.2 (mag) Apparent Dimension: 6 × 4 (arc minutes).
We have actually written numerous fascinating short articles about Messier Objects here at Universe Today. Heres Tammy Plotners Introduction to the Messier Objects, M1– The Crab Nebula, M8– The Lagoon Nebula, and David Dickisons posts on the 2013 and 2014 Messier Marathons.
Be sure to take a look at our total Messier Catalog. And to find out more, examine out the SEDS Messier Database and NASAs Hubble Messier Catalog.
Sources:.
The M96 galaxy determines an estimated 66,000 light-years in diameter and is about 31 million light-years from Earth, putting the center of the M96 group about 35 million light-years away. “In our 22 ksec ASCA SIS exposure of M96 we have actually detected scattered X-ray emission extending more than 10 arcminutes North of M96, in the instructions of the Hi ring. The morphology and spectral attributes of the diffuse emission reveals that M96 has just recently communicated with the Hi ring, suggesting that M96, the Hi ring and the central galaxy M105 are at the same distance within a couple of percent.”
M96 is the southernmost galaxy in the M96 group of galaxies, which consists of M95.
M96 is the brightest member of the Leo I group of galaxies (which includes M95, M105, and a number of fainter galaxies), hence why its also understood as the M96 group.
Welcome back to Messier Monday! Today, we continue in our homage to our dear friend, Tammy Plotner, by taking a look at the disallowed spiral galaxy known as Messier 95!
Throughout the 18th century, famous French astronomer Charles Messier discovered the presence of several “ambiguous items” while surveying the night sky. Initially misinterpreting these things for comets, he started to catalog them so that others would not make the very same error. Today, the resulting list (called the Messier Catalog) consists of over 100 items and is one of the most prominent catalogs of Deep Space Objects.
Among these items is Messier 96 (M96, NGC 3368), an intermediate double-sparred spiral nebula located about 31 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. This galaxy is known for having a little inner bulge through the core, an external bulge, and is equivalent in size to the Milky Way. M96 is the brightest member of the Leo I group of galaxies (that includes M95, M105, and a variety of fainter galaxies), for this reason why its also understood as the M96 group.