01h 36m 41.7932s, +15° 47′ 01.272″Messier 74
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| Messier 74 | |
|---|---|
| Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:InfoboxImage/data' not found. Spiral galaxy M74 imaged by Hubble Space Telescope | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Pisces[1][2]Template:R/superscript |
| Right ascension | Template:RA[2] |
| Declination | Template:DEC[2] |
| Redshift | 0.002192±0.00000300[2]Template:R/superscript |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 657±1 km/s[2]Template:R/superscript |
| Distance | 30 ± 6 Mly[2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.4[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SA(s)c HII[2] |
| Number of stars | 100 billion (1×1011) |
| Size | 85,300 ly (26.16 kpc) (diameter; D25 isophote)[2] |
| Apparent size (V) | 10.5′ × 9.5′[2]Template:R/superscript |
| Other designations | |
| Template:Odlist[2] | |
Messier 74 (also known as NGC 628 and Phantom Galaxy) is a large spiral galaxy in the equatorial constellation Pisces.[a] It is about 32 million light-years away from Earth.[3] The galaxy contains two clearly defined spiral arms and is therefore used as an archetypal example of a grand design spiral galaxy.[4] The galaxy's low surface brightness makes it the most difficult Messier object for amateur astronomers to observe.[5]Template:R/superscript[6]Template:R/superscript Its relatively large angular (that is, apparent) size and the galaxy's face-on orientation make it an ideal object for professional astronomers who want to study spiral arm structure and spiral density waves. It is estimated that M74 hosts about 100 billion stars.[3]
Observation history
M74 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780. He then communicated his discovery to Charles Messier, who listed the galaxy as M74 in his catalog of permanent celestial objects that should not be confused with transient objects in the sky.[6]
In July 2022, it was observed by the James Webb Space Telescope.
Structure
M74 has two spiral arms that wind counterclockwise from the galaxy's center. The spiral arms widen as they get farther from M74's center, but one of the arms narrows at the end. The arms deviate slightly from a constant angle.[7]
Supernovae
Three supernovae have been observed in M74:
- SN 2002ap (Type Ic, mag. 14.5) was discovered by Yoji Hirose on 29 January 2002.[8]Template:R/superscript[9]Template:R/superscript It was one of few Type Ic supernovae (which denotes hypernovae) recorded within 10 Mpc every century.[10]Template:R/superscript[11]Template:R/superscript[12]Template:R/superscript This explosion has been used to test theories on the origins of others further away[11] and theories on the emission by supernovae of gamma ray bursts.[12] It got as bright as magnitude 12.3, making it the brightest supernova of 2002.[13]Template:R/superscript
- SN 2003gd (Type II-P, mag. 13.2) was discovered by Robert Evans on 12 June 2003.[14]Template:R/superscript[15]Template:R/superscript[16]Template:R/superscript Type II supernovae have known luminosities, so they can be used to accurately measure distances. The distance measured to M74 using SN 2003gd is 9.6 ± 2.8 Mpc, or 31 ± 9 million ly.[17] For comparison, distances measured using the brightest supergiants are 7.7 ± 1.7 Mpc and 9.6 ± 2.2 Mpc.[17] Ben Sugerman found a "light echo" – a later reflection of the explosion – associated with SN 2003gd.[18] This is one of the few supernovae in which such a reflection has been found. This reflection appears to be from dust in a sheet-like cloud that lies in front of the supernova, and it can be used to determine the composition of the interstellar dust.[18][19]
- SN 2013ej (Type II-P, mag. 13.5) was discovered by the Lick Observatory Supernova Search (LOSS) on 25 July 2013.[20]Template:R/superscript[21]Template:R/superscript It was bright as 10th magnitude when viewed from the surface of Earth, so it was visible from almost all modern telescopes in a good night sky.[22]
In addition to these supernovae, the astronomical transient AT 2019krl was discovered by Anna Ho on 6 July 2019, and classified as either a Type IIn supernova or an LBV in outburst.[23]Template:R/superscript[24]Template:R/superscript Later analysis argued that it was consistent with known examples of giant LBV eruptions and SN 2008S-like objects.[25]
Galaxy group
This is the brightest member of the M74 Group, a group of 5 to 7 galaxies that also includes the peculiar spiral galaxy NGC 660 and a few irregular galaxies.[26]Template:R/superscript[27]Template:R/superscript[28]Template:R/superscript Different group membership identification methods (ranging from a clear, to likely, to perhaps historic gravitational tie) identify several objects of the group in common,[28] and a few galaxies whose exact status within such groupings is currently uncertain.[28]
Suspected black hole
In 2005[29][b] the Chandra X-ray Observatory announced its observation of an ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) in M74, radiating more X-ray power than a neutron star, in periodic intervals of around two hours. It has an estimated mass of 10000 M☉. This is an indicator of an intermediate-mass black hole. This would be a rather uncommon class, in between in size of stellar black holes and the massive black holes theorized to be in the center of many galaxies. Such an object is believed to form from lesser ("stellar") black holes within a star cluster. The source has been given identification number CXOU J013651.1+154547.
Amateur astronomy observation
Messier 74 is 1.5° east-northeast of Eta Piscium.[5][6] This galaxy has the second-lowest Earth-surface brightness of any Messier object. (M101 has the lowest.) It requires a good night sky.[6][5] This galaxy may be best viewed under low magnification; when highly magnified, the diffuse emission becomes more extended and appears too faint to be seen by many people.[6] Additionally, M74 may be more easily seen when using averted vision when the eyes are fully dark adapted.[5][6]
See also
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- NGC 3184 – a similar face-on spiral galaxy
- Messier 101 – a similar face-on spiral galaxy
- Whirlpool Galaxy – a well-known face-on spiral galaxy
References and footnotes
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.R. W. Sinnott, ed. (1988). The Complete New General Catalogue and Index Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters by J. L. E. Dreyer. Sky Publishing Corporation / Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-933346-51-2.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Results for object MESSIER 074". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. NASA and Caltech. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ a b Script error: No such module "template wrapper".
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.A. Sandage; J. Bedke (1994). Carnegie Atlas of Galaxies. Carnegie Institution of Washington. ISBN 978-0-87279-667-6.
- ^ a b c d Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.S. J. O'Meara (1998). The Messier Objects. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-55332-2.
- ^ a b c d e f Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.K. G. Jones (1991). Messier's Nebulae and Star Clusters (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-37079-0.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Honig, Z.N.; Reid, M.J. (February 2015). "Characteristics of Spiral Arms in Late-type Galaxies". The Astrophysical Journal. 800 (1): 5387–5394. arXiv:1412.1012. Bibcode:2015ApJ...800...53H. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/800/1/53. PMID 53. S2CID 118666575. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Nakano, S.; Hirose, Y.; Kushida, R.; Kushida, Y.; Li, W. (2002). "Supernova 2002ap in M74". IAU Circular. 7810: 1. Bibcode:2002IAUC.7810....1N.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."SN 2002ap". Transient Name Server. IAU. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.P. A. Mazzali; J. Deng; K. Maeda; K. Nomoto; H. Umeda; K. hatano; et al. (2002). "The Type Ic Hypernova SN 2002ap". Astrophysical Journal. 572 (1): L61–L65. Bibcode:2002ApJ...572L..61M. doi:10.1086/341504.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.S. J. Smartt; P. M. Vreeswijk; E. Ramirez-Ruiz; G. F. Gilmore; W. P. S. Meikle; A. M. N. Ferguson; et al. (2002). "On the Progenitor of the Type Ic Supernova 2002ap". Astrophysical Journal. 572 (2): L147–L151. arXiv:astro-ph/0205241. Bibcode:2002ApJ...572L.147S. doi:10.1086/341747. S2CID 2130591.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.A. Gal-Yam; E. O. Ofek; O. Shemmer (2002). "Supernova 2002ap: The first month". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 332 (4): L73–L77. arXiv:astro-ph/0204008. Bibcode:2002MNRAS.332L..73G. doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05535.x. S2CID 119332396.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Bishop, David. "Bright Supernovae - 2002". Rochester Astronomy. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.R. Evans; R. H. McNaught (2003). "Supernova 2003gd in M74". IAU Circular. 8150: 2. Bibcode:2003IAUC.8150....2E.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.S. D. Van Dyk; W. Li; A. V. Filippenko (2003). "On the Progenitor of the Type II-Plateau Supernova 2003gd in M74". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 115 (813): 1289–1295. arXiv:astro-ph/0307226. Bibcode:2003PASP..115.1289V. doi:10.1086/378308. S2CID 119521479.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."SN 2003gd". Transient Name Server. IAU. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.M. A. Hendry; S. J. Smartt; J. R. Maund; A. Pastorello; L. Zampieri; S. Benetti; et al. (2005). "A study of the Type II-P supernova 2003gd in M74". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 359 (3): 906–926. arXiv:astro-ph/0501341. Bibcode:2005MNRAS.359..906H. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2005.08928.x. S2CID 119479585.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.B. E. K. Sugerman (2005). "Discovery of a Light Echo from SN 2003gd". Astrophysical Journal Letters. 632 (1): L17–L20. arXiv:astro-ph/0509009. Bibcode:2005ApJ...632L..17S. doi:10.1086/497578. S2CID 11853657.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.S. D. Van Dyk; W. Li; A. V. Filippenko (2006). "The Light Echo around Supernova 2003gd in Messier 74". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 118 (841): 351–357. arXiv:astro-ph/0508684. Bibcode:2006PASP..118..351V. doi:10.1086/500225. S2CID 1852671.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Kim, M.; Zheng, W.; Li, W.; Filippenko, A. V.; Cenko, S. B.; Richmond, M. W.; Amorim, A.; Balam, D. D.; Graham, M. L.; Hsiao, E. Y. (2013-07-01). "Supernova 2013ej in M74 = Psn J01364816+1545310". Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams. 3606: 1. Bibcode:2013CBET.3606....1K.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."SN 2013ej". Transient Name Server. IAU. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Bright supernova in M74". Sky & Telescope. 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."SN 2019krl". Transient Name Server. IAU. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Andrews, Jennifer; Sand, Dave; Smith, Nathan; Moe, Max; Lundquist, Mike; Kattner, ShiAnne (2019-07-01). "Spectroscopic classification of AT2019krl as a IIn or LBV-outburst". The Astronomer's Telegram. 12913: 1. Bibcode:2019ATel12913....1A.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Andrews, Jennifer E.; Jencson, Jacob E.; Van Dyk, Schuyler D.; Smith, Nathan; Neustadt, Jack M. M.; Sand, David J.; Kreckel, K.; Kochanek, C. S.; Valenti, S.; Strader, Jay; Bersten, M. C.; Blanc, Guillermo A.; Bostroem, K. Azalee; Brink, Thomas G.; Emsellem, Eric; Filippenko, Alexei V.; Folatelli, Gastón; Kasliwal, Mansi M.; Masci, Frank J.; McElroy, Rebecca; Milisavljevic, Dan; Santoro, Francesco; Szalai, Tamás (2021). "The Blue Supergiant Progenitor of the Supernova Imposter AT 2019krl". The Astrophysical Journal. 917 (1): 67. arXiv:2009.13541. Bibcode:2021ApJ...917...63A. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ac09e1.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.R. B. Tully (1988). Nearby Galaxies Catalog. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-35299-4.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.A. Garcia (1993). "General study of group membership. II – Determination of nearby groups". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement. 100: 47–90. Bibcode:1993A&AS..100...47G.
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.G. Giuricin; C. Marinoni; L. Ceriani; A. Pisani (2000). "Nearby Optical Galaxies: Selection of the Sample and Identification of Groups". Astrophysical Journal. 543 (1): 178–194. arXiv:astro-ph/0001140. Bibcode:2000ApJ...543..178G. doi:10.1086/317070. S2CID 9618325.
- ^ Chandra : Photo Album and details of observation: M74 : 22 Mar 05
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- ^ Its very mild northerly declination means it rises daily (above the horizon) at latitudes above the 75th parallel south
- ^ On March 22
External links
- Template:WikiSky
- Spiral Galaxy M74 @ SEDS Messier pages
- Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Barrena, Rafael; Crowther, Paul. "M74 – Spiral Galaxy". Deep Sky Videos. Brady Haran.
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