Messier 61 (M61)

Face-on barred spiral of the Virgo Cluster with prominent, knotty spiral arms.

Core Principles & Analysis

• It is one of the record-holders for observed supernovae, with at least six since 1926.
• Messier discovered it in May 1779, mistaking it at first for the comet he was tracking.
• Its arms are lined with star-forming regions visible in amateur telescopes.

Specifications & Metrics

• GALAXY TYPE: Barred spiral (SBbc)
• DISTANCE: ~53 million light-years