Spiral Galaxy M61

(Redirected from NGC 4303)

Spiral Galaxy M61 (also known as Messier Object 61 or NGC 4303) is a large spiral galaxy of type SABbc in the Virgo Cluster. It was discovered by Barnabus Oriani on May 5, 1779. M61 is 60 million light-years distant. Image:M61 3.6 5.8 8.0 microns spitzer.png At approximately 100,000 light years in diameter, M61 is one of the larger members of the Virgo Cluster, and is about the same size as the Milky Way Galaxy. Four supernovae have been observed in this galaxy, most recently in 1999.