Messier 49 (M49)

Brightest galaxy of the Virgo Cluster, a giant elliptical discovered by Messier in 1771.

Core Principles & Analysis

• It contains roughly 6,000 globular clusters, against the Milky Way's 150 or so.
• A supermassive black hole of about 500 million solar masses sits at its centre.
• A supernova observed in 1969 was its first recorded in the modern era.

Specifications & Metrics

• GALAXY TYPE: Elliptical (E2)
• DISTANCE: ~56 million light-years