M87* (Messier 87)
Also known as M87* · Messier 87
M87* (Messier 87) is a supermassive black hole with a jet in the constellation Virgo, about 53 million light-years (16.4 Mpc) from Earth.
The first black hole ever photographed: in 2019 the Event Horizon Telescope showed the shadow of this 6.5-billion-solar-mass black hole. Its jet, first noticed in 1918, shoots out about 5,000 light-years.
Facts
| Type | Supermassive black hole with a jet |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Position (J2000) | 12h 30m 49s, +12° 23′ |
| Distance | 53 million light-years (16.4 Mpc) |
When and how to see it
M87* (Messier 87) is highest in the sky at midnight in March. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 82° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 52°.
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 Virgo
- 3C 279
- M49 (NGC 4472)
- M58 (NGC 4579)
- M59 (NGC 4621)
- M60 (NGC 4649)
- M61 (NGC 4303)
- M84 (NGC 4374)
- M86 (NGC 4406)
Everything in Virgo · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: · Deep Sky Monitor's own notes · Data sources & credits