Backyardastronomy.net

M95 - Barred Spiral Galaxy M95 is a barred spiral galaxy in the Leo I Group, notable for its ring-shaped star formation around its central bar. Distance: 32.6 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 9.73 Apparent Size: 4' × 3' Constellation: Leo Morphology: SB(r)b (barred spiral) Key Features: - Ring of star formation around central bar - Member of Leo I Group - Supernova observed in 2012 - Well-defined spiral structure - Central region contains HII regions Best Imaging Season: January - May Optimal Integration: 8+ hours

M106 - Intermediate Spiral Galaxy M106 is a Seyfert galaxy with an active nucleus, showing unusual emission lines that suggest accretion onto its central black hole. Distance: 23.7 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 8.41 Apparent Size: 19' × 8' Constellation: Canes Venatici Morphology: SAB(s)bc (barred spiral) Key Features: - Seyfert II active galaxy - Unusual "anomalous arms" in radio/X-ray - Central black hole: 40 million solar masses - Water masers used to measure distance - Large angular size, good for moderate telescopes Best Imaging Season: January - May Optimal Integration: 10+ hours

M99 - Coma Pinwheel Galaxy M99 is a face-on spiral galaxy in the Virgo Cluster, notable for its asymmetric spiral arms and unusually high recessional velocity. Distance: 50 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 9.90 Apparent Size: 5' × 4.5' Constellation: Coma Berenices Morphology: SA(s)c (spiral) Key Features: - Asymmetric spiral structure - Member of Virgo Cluster - High recessional velocity for cluster member - Three supernovae observed (1967, 1972, 1986) - Active star formation regions Best Imaging Season: March - June Optimal Integration: 8+ hours

M100 - Mirror Galaxy M100 is a face-on grand design spiral galaxy in the Virgo Cluster, named for its near-perfect spiral symmetry. Distance: 55 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 9.30 Apparent Size: 7' × 6' Constellation: Coma Berenices Morphology: SAB(s)bc (barred spiral) Key Features: - Classic face-on grand design spiral - Symmetrical spiral arms - Member of Virgo Cluster - Cepheid variables used for distance measurement - Hubble Heritage target Best Imaging Season: March - June Optimal Integration: 10+ hours

M101 - Pinwheel Galaxy M101 is a face-on grand design spiral galaxy, one of the most photogenic galaxies in the night sky. Its asymmetric spiral arms show signs of tidal interaction with satellite galaxies. Distance: 20.9 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 7.86 Apparent Size: 29' × 27' (nearly Moon-sized) Constellation: Ursa Major Morphology: SAB(rs)cd (grand design spiral) Key Features: - Spectacular face-on spiral structure - 7 known satellite galaxies - Asymmetric arms from tidal interactions - Giant HII regions (NGC 5461, 5462) - Large angular size - excellent for moderate telescopes Best Imaging Season: January - May Optimal Integration: 15+ hours for full extent

M104 - Sombrero Galaxy The Sombrero Galaxy is an edge-on spiral galaxy with a bright nucleus, large central bulge, and prominent dust lane, giving it the appearance of a Mexican hat. Distance: 29.3 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 8.00 Apparent Size: 9' × 4' Constellation: Virgo Morphology: SA(s)a (spiral with large bulge) Key Features: - Iconic edge-on appearance with dust lane - Large central bulge (one of largest known) - ~2,000 globular clusters - Central supermassive black hole (1 billion solar masses) - Prominent dust lane across entire disk Best Imaging Season: March - July Optimal Integration: 6+ hours

M105 - Elliptical Galaxy M105 is an elliptical galaxy in the Leo I Group, the brightest elliptical in the northern spring sky and the prototype for its class. Distance: 32 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 9.33 Apparent Size: 4' × 4' Constellation: Leo Morphology: E1 (elliptical) Key Features: - Classic elliptical galaxy - Member of Leo I Group - Central supermassive black hole - Little star formation or dust - Good target for galaxy classification Best Imaging Season: January - May Optimal Integration: 5+ hours

M106 - Intermediate Spiral Galaxy M106 is a Seyfert galaxy with an active nucleus, showing unusual emission lines that suggest accretion onto its central black hole. Distance: 23.7 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 8.41 Apparent Size: 19' × 8' Constellation: Canes Venatici Morphology: SAB(s)bc (barred spiral) Key Features: - Seyfert II active galaxy - Unusual "anomalous arms" in radio/X-ray - Central black hole: 40 million solar masses - Water masers used to measure distance - Large angular size, good for moderate telescopes Best Imaging Season: January - May Optimal Integration: 10+ hours

M109 - Barred Spiral Galaxy M109 is the brightest barred spiral galaxy in the Ursa Major cluster, showing a prominent bar structure and faint spiral arms. Distance: 83.5 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 9.80 Apparent Size: 7' × 4' Constellation: Ursa Major Morphology: SB(rs)bc (barred spiral) Key Features: - Classic barred spiral structure - Faint outer spiral arms - Member of Ursa Major cluster - Supernova observed in 1956 - Good example of bar structure Best Imaging Season: January - May Optimal Integration: 8+ hours

NGC 1309 - Spiral Galaxy NGC 1309 is a face-on spiral galaxy in the Eridanus Group, notable for its well-defined spiral arms and use in measuring cosmic expansion. Distance: 100 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 11.50 Apparent Size: 3' × 2' Constellation: Eridanus Morphology: SA(s)bc (spiral) Key Features: - Face-on spiral structure - Used in Hubble Key Project for distance calibration - Cepheid variables measured - Member of Eridanus Group - Supernova observed in 2002 Best Imaging Season: October - February Optimal Integration: 8+ hours

NGC 2403 - Spiral Galaxy NGC 2403 is a nearby intermediate spiral galaxy in the M81 Group, similar to M33 but less well-known. It shows excellent detail in moderate telescopes. Distance: 8 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 8.43 Apparent Size: 22' × 12' Constellation: Camelopardalis Morphology: SAB(s)cd (intermediate spiral) Key Features: - Member of M81 Group - Large angular size (similar to M33) - Multiple HII regions visible - Two supernovae in 2004 - Excellent target for moderate telescopes - Shows nice detail with modest integration Best Imaging Season: November - March Optimal Integration: 10+ hours

NGC 2683 - UFO Galaxy NGC 2683 is an edge-on spiral galaxy nicknamed the "UFO Galaxy" for its saucer-like appearance. It shows a prominent dust lane and bright central bulge. Distance: 25 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 9.75 Apparent Size: 9' × 2' Constellation: Lynx Morphology: SA(rs)b (spiral) Key Features: - Edge-on spiral with dust lane - "UFO" appearance from tilt - Prominent central bulge - Faint outer disk structure - Good target for galaxy morphology Best Imaging Season: November - March Optimal Integration: 8+ hours

NGC 2841 - Flocculent Spiral Galaxy in Ursa Major One of the more unusual flocculent spiral galaxies in the night sky. Unlike grand-design spirals with clearly defined arms, NGC 2841 displays fragmented, patchy spiral arms with few well-defined HII regions, giving it a soft, cottony appearance. **Physical Characteristics:** - **Type:** Flocculent Spiral Galaxy (SA(s)ab) - **Constellation:** Ursa Major (the Great Bear) - **Distance:** ~40 million light-years - **Size:** 8.1' × 3.5' arcminutes - **Magnitude:** 9.3 (apparent) - **Morphology:** Fragmented spiral arms, bright nucleus, prominent dust lanes - **Discovery:** William Herschel (1788) **Coordinates (J2000):** - **RA:** 09h 22m 02.7s - **Dec:** +50° 58' 35" **Imaging Notes:** Excellent target for spring imaging. The soft, flocculent structure creates a cottony, ethereal appearance in astrophotos. Prominent outer arms and dust lanes respond well to OIII and Ha filters. Capturing fine detail requires good seeing and dark skies. **Best Season:** January through May

NGC 2903 - Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 2903 is a bright barred spiral galaxy often overlooked despite being one of the finest galaxies for amateur telescopes. Distance: 30 million light-years Apparent Magnitude: 8.90 Apparent Size: 13' × 6' Constellation: Leo Morphology: SB(s)d (barred spiral) Key Features: - Bright central region - Multiple HII regions - Well-defined spiral arms - Excellent for moderate telescopes - Often missed due to lack of Messier number Best Imaging Season: January - May Optimal Integration: 8+ hours