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Messier 89: Difference between revisions
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[[File:450px-Messier 089 Hubble WikiSky.jpg|thumb|Messier 89]] | |||
Messier 89 (M89 for short, also known as NGC 4552) is an elliptical galaxy in the constellation [[Virgo]]. It was discovered by Charles Messier on March 18, 1781. M89 is a member of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies. | Messier 89 (M89 for short, also known as NGC 4552) is an elliptical galaxy in the constellation [[Virgo]]. It was discovered by Charles Messier on March 18, 1781. M89 is a member of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies. | ||
Current observations indicate that M89 may be nearly perfectly spherical in shape. This is unusual, since all other known elliptic galaxies are relatively elongated ellipsoids.However, it is possible that the galaxy is oriented in such a way that it appears spherical to an observer on Earth but is in fact elliptical. | Current observations indicate that M89 may be nearly perfectly spherical in shape. This is unusual, since all other known elliptic galaxies are relatively elongated ellipsoids.However, it is possible that the galaxy is oriented in such a way that it appears spherical to an observer on Earth but is in fact elliptical. | ||