M99 = NGC4254 ( 12h 18.8m +14°25´, 9.8 mag. )


This face-on spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices was discovered by Mechain in 1781 and Messier observed it on April 13 same year. It is sometimes called Pinwheel Galaxy - same common name is also given to M33 and M101. This member of Virgo Galaxy Cluster is about 55 million ly distant and measures 50,000 ly across. It display prominent "tail" formed by a lobsided arm. M99 is located 50' SE of 6 Comae (see Virgo Cluster Map and the detailed chart below).

The above image was taken on May 26, 1998 from Sooke, BC. Cookbook 245 LDC CCD camera was used on Celestron Ultima 8 f6.3 telescope autoguided with Cookbook 211 LDC CCD camera on piggybacked 500mm f8 telephoto lens. Five white integrations (240 sec. each) were processed with AIP4WIN.

North is to the right.


Map created in Guide 7.0 - 2° x 3°. North is up.


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© Jan Wisniewski