Messier 98 (M98)

Edge-on Virgo spiral whose gas, like M90's, falls toward us rather than away.

Core Principles & Analysis

• It shows a blueshift of about 125 km/s despite its enormous distance.
• Seen nearly edge-on, its dust lane cuts the disc in half.
• Méchain found it in 1781, weeks before Messier catalogued it.

Specifications & Metrics

• GALAXY TYPE: Spiral (SAb)
• DISTANCE: ~44 million light-years