M87 (NGC 4486) Vir galaxy Difficulty level
2NGC 4486A Vir galaxy Difficulty level 4
NGC 4478 Vir galaxy Difficulty level 4
NGC 4478 Vir galaxy Difficulty level 4
Date of observation: 1998/03/06 03:06
Observing site: Kuju
Transparency/seeing/sky darkness: 2/3/4
Instruments: 32cm Dobsonian with XL14 at 110x
Width of field: 0.6
These are the famous M87 and smaller galaxies in the same region.
M87 (NGC 4486): According to some sources, it is a very massive elliptical galaxy. It has an interesting jet at the center and is a source of intense radiation called Virgo A or 3C274. Visually it is very bright with very strong central brightening. With averted vision an extensive faint diffuse halo is seen to surround the center.
NGC 4478 and NGC 4479: Both have a similar appearance and are seen with M87 in the same eyepiece field. Both are small and circular with central brightening. NGC 4479 is perhaps fainter.
NGC 4486AFThis is located south of M87. I plotted this galaxy in my sketch as a star, but later found it to be a galaxy. It is not difficulty to find it because of its brightness, but identifying it as a galaxy is a different story.