Galaxy M 88

Before you is the spiral galaxy M 88, also known as NGC 4501, along with its surroundings. The galaxy is located 50–60 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Coma Berenices. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1781. M88 is one of the 15 Messier objects belonging to the extensive Virgo Cluster of galaxies. This galaxy is inclined to our line of sight by 64°. Its spiral arms are very smooth and can be traced all the way to its core. M 88 is classified as a Type 2 Seyfert galaxy, meaning it has an active nucleus. The supermassive black hole at the center of this galaxy has a mass of about 80 million solar masses. One supernova has been observed in M 88: SN 1999cl (Type Ia, magnitude 16.4).