Spindle Galaxy (M102)
Also known as Spindle Galaxy · M102
Spindle Galaxy (M102) is a Seyfert galaxy in the constellation Draco, about 48.01 million light-years from Earth.
M102 · edge-on galaxy in Draco (NGC 5866)
Facts
| Type | Seyfert galaxy (shape S) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Draco |
| Position (J2000) | 15h 06m 29s, +55° 45′ |
| Distance | 48.01 million light-years (its light set off about 48.01 million years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 9.89 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 6.3′ × 2.7′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines in starlight of every colour, so a nebula filter would only dim it; a dark sky helps more.) |
| Studied in | 582 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Spindle Galaxy (M102) is highest in the sky at midnight in May. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 54° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 84°. To see it you need a small telescope.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Draco
Everything in Draco · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits