M61
M61 is one of the major members of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies. It is comparable in size to our own galaxy. Though a barred spiral, deep images such as this make the bar in the nucleus of the galaxy less obvious. This galaxy has an extraordinary number of star forming regions (HII, pink areas). An image with greater resolution would certainly show even more evidence of active star formation. At distance of 60 million light years away M61 seems to float in the foreground of several distant galaxies.
This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.
Credit:KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Adam Block
About the Image
| Id: | noao-m61block |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | Feb. 20, 2014, 2:42 p.m. |
| Size: | 2184 x 1472 px |
About the Object
| Name: | M61 |
| Constellation: | Virgo |
| Category: | Galaxy Clusters |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 12 21 45.57 |
| Position (Dec): | 4° 24' 59.05" |
| Field of view: | 12.42 x 8.37 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 89.8° left of vertical |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colors & filters
| Band | Wave-length | Tele-scope |
|---|---|---|
| Optical B | 438 nm | Visitor Center 0.5-meter Telescope Other CCD |
| Optical G | 475 nm | Visitor Center 0.5-meter Telescope Other CCD |
| Optical R | 625 nm | Visitor Center 0.5-meter Telescope Other CCD |
| Optical Broad Band | 555 nm | Visitor Center 0.5-meter Telescope Other CCD |