Andromeda
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Galaxy

Messier 90

Also M90 · NGC 4569

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A spiral galaxy in the Virgo Cluster that has been stripped of much of its gas, so it makes few new stars.

Measured

Distance
about 53.8 million light-years (published estimates 46 million–54.5 million)
Size
about 152,000 light-years across (approximate)
Constellation
Virgo
Position (J2000)
RA 12h 36m 50s, Dec +13.16°

How far, from the Sun

About 53.8 million light-years. To cross it:

  • Light53.8 million years
  • Voyager 1's speed956 billion years
  • Driving at 100 km/h581 trillion years

Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.

Facts

  • Its arms hold very little star formation, because much of its gas has been stripped away.
  • It is moving TOWARDS us at about 235 km/s (NASA/IPAC NED) — one of the few galaxies outside the Local Group that are.

Where this comes from

  • Virgo Cluster membership, 16.5 Mpc (Moustakas et al. 2010, ApJS 190, 233); published estimates 14.1–16.7 Mpc
  • This research has made use of the SIMBAD database, CDS, Strasbourg, France (Wenger et al. 2000, A&AS 143, 9).
  • This research has made use of the VizieR catalogue access tool, CDS, Strasbourg, France (DOI: 10.26093/cds/vizier).

Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.