M87 (Virgo A) Complete Guide — Elliptical Galaxy in Virgo

Overview

Virgo A (M87) is a Elliptical Galaxy located in Virgo, cataloged as NGC 4486. With an apparent magnitude of 8.6, it lies About 60 million light-years from Earth. This Advanced-level object is best observed in the Spring sky.

Elliptical galaxies are oval-shaped systems composed mainly of older stars. They contain little interstellar gas or dust, and new star formation is rare.

Basic Data

Item	Data
Messier Number	M87
Catalog Number	NGC 4486
Object Type	Elliptical Galaxy
Constellation	Virgo
Apparent Magnitude	8.6
Distance	About 60 million light-years
Best Season	Spring
Difficulty	Advanced
Required Equipment	Small telescope

Physical Characteristics

This galaxy is located About 60 million light-years from Earth with an apparent magnitude of 8.6.

While there are estimated to be hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe, those in the Messier catalog are relatively bright and representative objects observable with amateur telescopes.

Observation Guide

How to Find

Virgo A (M87) is located in the Virgo region. It transits around 20:00–22:00 during Spring, making it well-positioned for observation. use the main stars of Virgo as guide stars and confirm the exact position with a star chart or app.

Observation Tips

Galaxy observation benefits from dark skies and large-aperture telescopes. Use low magnification for a wide field of view, and allow your eyes to fully dark-adapt before observing.

Recommended Equipment

We recommend observing from dark skies with a telescope of 80mm aperture or more.

Astrophotography Tips

Virgo A (M87) is a popular target for astrophotography. Tracking with an equatorial mount is essential. Long exposures (30 seconds to several minutes) at high ISO reveal details invisible to the naked eye. Stacking multiple images reduces noise and produces beautiful, detailed results.

Summary

M87 is a Elliptical Galaxy observable in Virgo, rated Advanced level. While it requires a somewhat larger telescope, it is a rewarding object to observe. Try observing it in the Spring night sky!