M96 (NGC 3368)
Also known as M96 · M 96 · NGC 3368
M96 (NGC 3368) is a galaxy in the constellation Leo, about 34.15 million light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Galaxy (shape SBa) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Leo |
| Position (J2000) | 10h 46m 45s, +11° 49′ |
| Distance | 34.15 million light-years (its light set off about 34.15 million years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 9.25 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 6.6′ × 4.9′ (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 | 874 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
M96 (NGC 3368) 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°. 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 Leo
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits