M74

M74 is a Spiral galaxy, distant of 30 million light-years, seen top located in the Poisson. She was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 then observed by Charles Messier which integrated it in its catalog a few weeks later.

Characteristics

Its Masse is only of 1/5 that of our galaxy but its diameter is all the same of 80 000 light-years. The spiral arms of the galaxy contain many young stars or in formation. M74 is the most brilliant component of a Galaxy cluster which includes/understands moreover: NGC 660, UGC 1171, UGC 1175, UGC 1176, UGC 1195 and UGC 1200.

Two Supernova E were recently discovered in the galaxy:

SN 2002ap, discovered by an amateur the January 29th 2002 and which reached the magnitude 12,3.
SB 2003gd, discovered the June 12th 2003, less brilliant, which reached a magnitude of 13,2.

Observation

M74 is located at 1,3° in the North-East of the star η of Poisson. It is one of the objects of Messier most difficult to observe. Its magnitude of 9 makes it invisible to the naked eye and the Jumelles. A Telescope makes it possible to see only the core which one should not confuse with a star. To hope to distinguish the spiral structure of the galaxy, an instrument of 250 mm and good conditions are necessary.

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