Deep Sky Object in Spring
M99 (Galaxy in Coma Berenices)

Click on image to enlarge

Date & Time: Dec 26 2025, from 26:29 to 27:23 JST(+0900)
Composed 10 shots with 6 minutes exposed
Optical: Meade 25cm(10") Schmidt-Cassegrain with conversion lens (f=1600mm, F6.3)
with IDAS LPS-P1 Light-pollution suppression filter
Auto-guided with Meade LX200 Equatorial & Lacerta M-GEN
Digital Camera: Nikon D810A
Location: Ooizumi, Hokuto city, Yamanashi pref.

Camera Settings: Recording Format...14bit CCD-RAW, converted to 16bit TIFF(4080×4080)
Device Size...20×20mm
Sensitivity...ISO4000, White Balance...Daylight


M99 (NGC4254) / Galaxy, type SA(s)c I-II
R.A.12h 18m 49.3s (2000.0)
Dec.+14° 25' 07" (2000.0)
Apparent Size4.6×3.9'
Radial Velocity+2735km/s
Magnitude10.1
Distance55 million light yrs.
Group of GalaxiesVirgo Cluster
Other IDsUGC7345, MCG3-31-99,
PGC39578
M99 is a spiral galaxy in west region of the Virgo Cluster like M98 in previous page. The galaxy is lying apart about 1.3 degrees ESE from M98, has an apparent diameter of 4 minutes and 10th magnitude. M99 shows us a unique "face-on" shape of two arms whirling. You will recognize these arms being asymmetric.



M98
M100

Copyright(c) 2025 by Naoyuki Kurita, All rights reserved.
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