Black Eye Galaxy (M64) Type, Location, Discovery

The Black Eye Galaxy, known as M64, is a distinctive spiral galaxy located in the constellation Coma Berenices. M64 gained its nickname due to a prominent dark band of absorbing dust in front of its nucleus, creating the appearance of a black eye. The Black Eye Galaxy was discovered in the 18th century by astronomer Edward Pigott, with Johann Elert Bode finding it after. Learn about M64’s distance from Earth, size, structure, and rotation patterns. The Black Eye Galaxy fascinates astronomers with its appearance and intriguing characteristics.

M64 belongs to the category of spiral galaxies with a central bulge and disk. The galaxy measures 70,000 light-years in diameter and contains two main spiral arms. Scientists identify the Black Eye Galaxy as a Seyfert galaxy with low nuclear activity. Astrophysicists summarize it as an Sa-type unbarred spiral galaxy with Seyfert 2 characteristics.

M64 is located in the Coma Berenices constellation, 17 million light-years away from Earth. The galaxy is positioned 1.5° northwest of the star 35 Comae Berenices. M64 has a magnitude of 8.5 and is best observed in May.

Johann Elert Bode rediscovered it on April 4, 1779, and published his findings before Pigott. Charles Messier observed the galaxy on March 1, 1780, and included it in his catalog of sky objects.

The Black Eye Galaxy has a mass of 100 billion solar masses. M64 rotates at a velocity of 300 km/s (186.411 miles/s) and contains counter-rotating gas in its disk. The galaxy forms stars in the dark band region. A supermassive black hole with an estimated mass of 10 million solar masses resides at the center of the galaxy. M64 emits significant infrared radiation, indicating active star formation.

What is Black Eye Galaxy (m64)?

Black Eye Galaxy (M64) is an isolated spiral galaxy located 17 million light-years in the Coma Berenices constellation. Edward Pigott discovered it in March 1779. M64 features a dust band across its central nucleus, earning nicknames like “Evil Eye Galaxy.” The Hubble Space Telescope captured images revealing its spectacular beauty.

M64 is situated 24 million light-years away from Earth and has an estimated mass of 100 billion solar masses. The galaxy rotates at a velocity of 300 km/s and contains counter-rotating gas in its disk, moving in the opposite direction to the stars. M64 forms stars in the dark band region.

What type of galaxy is the Black eye Galaxy?

The Black Eye Galaxy is a spiral galaxy. Spiral galaxies have central bulges and disks with spiral-shaped stars, gas, and dust. M64 belongs to this category due to its spiral arms and central bulge. The galaxy measures 70,000 light-years in diameter. M64 contains a prominent central bulge and two main spiral arms.

Scientists identify the Black Eye Galaxy as a Seyfert galaxy. Seyfert galaxies contain active galactic nuclei powered by supermassive black holes. The Black Eye Galaxy exhibits Seyfert 2 characteristics with low nuclear activity. Researchers classify it as a Seyfert 2 galaxy due to its low levels of nuclear activity.

The Black Eye Galaxy possesses a rotating, disk-shaped structure with spiral arms. Stars, gas, and dust are observed in the spiral arms of the galaxy. Astrophysicists study the Black Eye Galaxy’s combination of features, summarizing it as an Sa-type unbarred spiral galaxy with Seyfert 2 characteristics.

Where is the Black Eye Galaxy located?

The Black Eye Galaxy (M64, NGC 4826) resides in the constellation Coma Berenices. Located 17 million light-years from Earth, this spiral galaxy is positioned 1.5° northwest of the star 35 Comae Berenices. Edward Pigott, Charles Messier, and Johann Elert Bode all discovered the galaxy in 1779.

Who discovered the Black Eye Galaxy?

Edward Pigott discovered the Black Eye Galaxy on March 23, 1779. Charles Messier observed it later. Johann Elert Bode observed it in 1780. The galaxy features a unique dark band of dust, giving it a “black eye” appearance. M64 is located 24 million light-years from Earth in the Coma Berenices constellation.

Johann Elert Bode rediscovered the Black Eye Galaxy on April 4, 1779. Bode published his findings before Pigott, leading to his recognition as the discoverer. Charles Messier observed the galaxy on March 1, 1780. Messier included it in his catalog of deep-sky objects, contributing to its alternative name, Messier 64.

John Herschel observed and cataloged the Black Eye Galaxy in the 1830s. Herschel described it as a defined object with a defined center. His observations provided insights into the galaxy’s appearance and structure.

When was the Black Eye Galaxy discovered?

Edward Pigott discovered the Black Eye Galaxy on March 10, 1779. Johann Elert Bode found it on April 6, 1779. Charles Messier discovered it in March 1779, date unknown. The Black Eye Galaxy, called Messier 64 or NGC 4826, features a dust band resembling an eye or sleeping face.

What are some facts about the Black Eye Galaxy?

The Black Eye Galaxy is located in the Coma Berenices constellation, 17 million light-years from Earth. Its mass is 1.2 x 10^10 solar masses. The galaxy spans 50,000 light-years in diameter. A dust lane creates its “black eye” appearance. Observers view it with a telescope. The galaxy has an apparent magnitude of 8.5.

Some facts about the Black Eye Galaxy are provided in the list below:

• Black Eye Galaxy location: Resides 17 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Coma Berenices.
• Black Eye Galaxy observation: Best observed in May, with an apparent magnitude of 9.8.
• Black Eye Galaxy size: Contains 100 billion stars within its 70,000 light-year diameter.
• Black Eye Galaxy discovery: Discovered by Edward Pigott in March 1779 and Johann Elert Bode in April 1779; cataloged by Charles Messier in the 18th century.
• Black Eye Galaxy nickname: Known as “Black Eye” or “Evil Eye” due to its distinctive appearance.
• Black Eye Galaxy designations: Also referred to as M64, Messier 64, and NGC 4826.
• Black Eye Galaxy infrared emission: Emits significant infrared radiation, indicating active star formation.
• Black Eye Galaxy appearance: Features a band of absorbing dust in front of its nucleus.
• Black Eye Galaxy classification: Classified as a flocculent spiral galaxy.
• Black Eye Galaxy structure: Contains two nested, counter-rotating gas disks.

Edward Pigott discovered the Black Eye Galaxy in March 1779, followed by Johann Elert Bode’s discovery in April 1779. Charles Messier cataloged it in the 18th century. The galaxy earned its nickname “Black Eye” or “Evil Eye” due to its appearance. M64, Messier 64, and NGC 4826 serve as designations for this celestial object.

The Black Eye Galaxy emits significant infrared radiation, indicating active star formation. A band of absorbing dust in front of its nucleus creates its appearance. Scientists classify it as a flocculent spiral galaxy. The galaxy’s structure includes two nested, counter-rotating gas disks, a feature among spiral galaxies.

What is the size of the Black Eye Galaxy?

The Black Eye Galaxy (M64) has a diameter of 70,000 light years along its axis. Stoyan et al. State the diameter is 117,000 light years. M64’s size corresponds to an angular diameter of 10 arc minutes. M64 is small compared to other spiral galaxies like the Milky Way.

Angular measurements of the Black Eye Galaxy vary between studies. One measurement reports an angular size of 10.71 x 5.128 arc minutes. Another study records the galaxy’s size as 10.0 x 5.4 arc minutes. A measurement indicates an angular size of 10.52 x 5.33 arc minutes. These measurements provide a comprehensive view of the Black Eye Galaxy’s size, encompassing both its physical diameter and its apparent size in the night sky.

What is the age of the Black Eye Galaxy?

The Black Eye Galaxy is 13.7 billion years old, based on the age of its oldest stars. Components of the galaxy exhibit varying ages, reflecting its complex evolutionary history. The oldest stars in the galaxy’s halo and globular clusters formed around 13.7 billion years ago. The bulge of the galaxy contains stars with an average age of 2.5 billion years. Stars in the main spiral pattern have an average age of 5 billion years. The youngest star-forming regions in the spiral arms are 800 million years old.

A merger event occurred 18 million years ago, triggering star formation activity and influencing the galaxy’s morphology. The merger event led to the redistribution of stars and the formation of new stellar populations. Star formation continues in the galaxy’s spiral arms, where molecular clouds collapse to form stars.

How many stars are in the Black Eye Galaxy?

The Black Eye Galaxy contains 100 billion stars. Scientists and researchers estimate this number. 100 billion stars reside in the galaxy’s disk, which is 3 times the size of its central bulge. Messier 64, located 24 million light-years from Earth, houses a supermassive black hole with 700 million solar masses at its center.

How far is the Black Eye Galaxy from Earth?

The Black Eye Galaxy resides 17 million light-years from Earth in the Coma Berenices constellation. Messier 64 (M64) and NGC 4826 are alternative names for this spiral galaxy. Edward Pigott observed it in 1779. The galaxy’s distinctive dark dust band earned it the “Black Eye” and “Evil Eye” nicknames.

Can you see the Black Eye Galaxy through a telescope?

The Black Eye Galaxy (M64) is visible through sized telescopes with 4-6 inch apertures. Amateur astronomers observe its central core and partial spiral arms. Visibility depends on telescope quality and observing conditions. Light pollution affects viewing. The Hubble Space Telescope has been used to study the Black Eye Galaxy.

The Black Eye Galaxy appears as a patch in the sky. Observers see its “black eye” feature through telescopes. Astronomers recommend 8-inch or telescopes for better views of the galaxy’s structure and details. Medium to high magnification eyepieces (100-200x) show the galaxy’s features.

Locations with minimal light pollution provide optimal viewing conditions. Clear, moonless nights offer good opportunities for observing the Black Eye Galaxy. Star charts or planetarium software help locate the galaxy in the night sky. The Black Eye Galaxy has a magnitude of 8.5 and a surface brightness of 13.2 mag/arcsec^2. Telescopes detect the galaxy due to its magnitude, though it is faint compared to other celestial objects.