M83 (Southern Pinwheel Galaxy) Complete Guide — Spiral Galaxy in Hydra
Overview
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83) is a Spiral Galaxy located in Hydra, cataloged as NGC 5236. With an apparent magnitude of 7.6, it lies About 15 million light-years from Earth. This Intermediate-level object is best observed in the Spring sky.
Spiral galaxies feature a central bulge surrounded by sweeping spiral arms. These arms are rich in young stars and interstellar gas, with active star formation taking place.
Basic Data
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Messier Number | M83 |
| Catalog Number | NGC 5236 |
| Object Type | Spiral Galaxy |
| Constellation | Hydra |
| Apparent Magnitude | 7.6 |
| Distance | About 15 million light-years |
| Best Season | Spring |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Required Equipment | Small telescope |
Physical Characteristics
This galaxy is located About 15 million light-years from Earth with an apparent magnitude of 7.6.
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
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83) is located in the Hydra region. It transits around 20:00–22:00 during Spring, making it well-positioned for observation. use the main stars of Hydra 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
A telescope with an aperture of 60mm or more is sufficient for observation.
Astrophotography Tips
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83) 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
M83 is a Spiral Galaxy observable in Hydra, rated Intermediate level. Enjoyable with a small telescope, it is one of the most popular Messier objects for observation. Try observing it in the Spring night sky!