M 104 (Gal)
Galaxy in Virgo
| R.A. | Dec. | Size | Mag | SB | Cnt.St | Type | Distance | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12h 40m 00.6s | -11° 37′ 31.3″ | 8.7′ | 8.0 | 11.4 | SA(s)a | Gal | -- | -- |
Source: POSS-2 UK Schmidt Red (STScI) | Field: 15′ × 15′
Background
M104 is the Sombrero Galaxy — an edge-on lenticular/spiral galaxy 30 million light-years away in Virgo. Famous for its prominent dark dust lane bisecting a bright bulbous central bulge, giving it the visual appearance of a wide-brimmed hat. One of the most photogenic galaxies in the sky.
My Observing Notes
25-cm (Meade 10-inch LX200, The Coffee Grinder): Bright bulbous core clearly visible, with the characteristic dark band of dust running through the length of the galaxy.(Friday, April 2025)
References
Charts
Ultra-wide view (~25° field)
Wide-field view with Telrad rings (4°, 2°, 0.5°)
Finderscope view (9×50 RACI, ~4.4° TFOV)
Eyepiece view — 35 mm Panoptic on 12-inch f/5 (1.6° TFOV)