The Virgo Galaxy Cluster

The Virgo Cluster comprising about 2000 galaxies is the nearest big galaxy cluster. It comprises no less than 16 Messier galaxies. More information about the Virgo Cluster at SEDS or at An Atlas of the Universe

Chart of the central and northern part of the Virgo Cluster. The southern part including M49 and M61 is not visible here. Chart created with HNSky

M100 in Coma Berenices
Magnitude 9.3 - Size 7.5' x 6.1' - class SBbc

2007 April 12 (Denmark) - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9
LRGB = 64:16:16:16 min guided

Full resolution image

M99 in Coma Berenices
Magnitude 9.9 - Size 5.3' x 4.6' - class Sc

2007 April 15 (Denmark) - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9
RGB = 12:12:12 min guided

Small but relatively bright spiral galaxy, thus much easier to spot than nearby M98. The asymmetric shape could indicate an encounter with another galaxy, maybe M98. It has the largest recession velocity (2324 km/s) of any Messier objects. It neighbour M98 is at the same time approaching us at 200 km/s. This could support the encounter theory as there is a lot of gravitational 'sling shotting' taking place in the Virgo Cluster

M85 in Coma Berenices
Magnitude 9.1 - Size 7.1' x 5.5' - class S0-a

2007 April 13 (Denmark) - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9
L = 56 min guided

One of the more overlooked Messier objects. In less deep exposures it just looks like another elliptical galaxy but this image is deep enough to show the "shells" of this S0 galaxy. And furthermore, it has got a very lovely neighbour, NGC 4394.

Full resolution image

Markarian Chain

2005 Mar 29 (Denmark) - FS-60C @ f/5.9 - SXV-H9
LRGB = 50:10:10:10 min

The Markarian Chain is a remarkable string of galaxies at the center of the Virgo Cluster. From right to left: M84, M86, NGC 4435/38, NGC 4458/61, NGC 4473 and NGC 4477 with many fainter galaxies also visible.

M84 and M86 in Virgo
M84: Magnitude 9.1 - Size 6.7' x 6.0' - class E1
M86: Magnitude 8.9 - Size 9.8' x 6.3' - class E3

10 Apr 2004 (Denmark) - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9 - 20 + 18 min - mosaic of two images

Two large elliptical galaxies at the western end of the "Markarian Chain". The smaller galaxy at the bottom is NGC 4387.
Full resolution image

M87 in Virgo
Magnitude 9.6 - Size 8.7' x 6.6'

22 Apr 2003 - C8 at f/6.3 - MX516 - 27 minutes

M87 is a massive elliptical galaxy forming the center of the Virgo galaxy cluster. It has a supermassive black hole at the center. An enlarged and enhanced image of the famous jet is shown in the inset

M88 in Coma Berenices
Magnitude 10.2 - Size 6.8' x 3.7'

27 Apr 2003 (Puimichel) - C8 at f/6.3 - MX516 - 42 minutes

Nice tightly wound spiral. An increasing cirrus cover means that the effective exposure is considerably less than the listed 42 minutes

M90 in Virgo
Magnitude 9.5 - Size 9.9' x 4.4' - class SBab

25 Mar 2004 - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9 - 25 min

The smooth arms of this large galaxy indicate that star formation no longer takes place here. It may be evolving into a state similar to M64 and later maybe into a lenticular galaxy (type S0)

M91 in Coma Berenices
Magnitude 10.1 - Size 5.2' x 4.2' - class SBb

25 Mar 2004 - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9 - 24 min

Nice but quite faint barred spiral.

M98 in Coma Berenices
Magnitude 10.1 - Size 9.4' x 2.3' - class SBb

24 Mar 2004 - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9 - 32 min

Large but faint galaxy. In my opinion one of the most difficult Messier galaxies to observe.

NGC 4298 / 4302 in Coma Berenices
4298: Mag 11.3 - Size 3.2' x 1.9' - Sc
4302: Mag 11.6 - Size 5.3' x 1.0' - Sc

10 Apr 2004 (Denmark) - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9 - LRGB = 38:11:9:11 min

Interesting pair 40 arcmin east of M99. Visually they are difficult to observe

M60 in Virgo
Mag 8.8 - Size 7.6' x 6.2' - class E1

28 Mar 2004 - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9 - 16 min

Large elliptical galaxy at the eastern edge of the cluster. The touching neighbour is spiral galaxy NGC 4647. The object at the lower right corner is NGC 4638. M59 is located nearby just outside the field to the right

M49 in Virgo
Magnitude 8.4 - Size 9.8' x 8.2' - class E4

10 Apr 2004 (Denmark) - C8 at f/6.3 - SXV-H9 - 25 min

Massive elliptical galaxy dominating the southern part of the Virgo Cluster

M61 in Virgo
Magnitude 10.1 - Size 6.5' x 5.9'

01 May 2003 (Puimichel, FR) - C8 at f/6.3 - MX516 - 25 minutes

The M61 group of galaxies is one of several smaller groups (Virgo II groups) forming the southern extension of the Virgo Cluster. This image made in south France is a tad unsharp because my telescope was battered by the local "mistral".

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