M85 (NGC 4382) Observation Guide — A Lenticular Galaxy in Coma Berenices

Overview

M85 is a lenticular galaxy sitting in the constellation Coma Berenices, cataloged as NGC 4382. At an apparent Magnitude of 9.1 and roughly 60 million light-years from Earth, it becomes well-placed for observation during spring evenings — though it does require some experience to track down.

A lenticular galaxy falls somewhere between a spiral and an elliptical galaxy. It retains a disk structure, but the spiral arms have largely faded away.

Key Data

Physical Characteristics

This galaxy lies approximately 60 million light-years away, shining at an apparent Magnitude of 9.1.

The observable universe contains hundreds of billions of galaxies, yet those included in the Messier catalog are among the brighter ones — well within reach of amateur telescopes and a rewarding challenge for backyard astronomers.

Observation Guide

How to Find It

M85 sits within the boundaries of Coma Berenices. During spring, it transits around 8:00–10:00 PM, placing it high enough for comfortable viewing. Start by identifying the main stars of Coma Berenices, then use a star chart or planetarium app to zero in on the exact position.

Tips for Better Views

Galaxy hunting favors dark skies and generous aperture. Use a low-power Eyepiece to take in a wide field of view, and give your eyes a good 20 minutes or more to dark-adapt before you start looking. Patience makes all the difference with faint fuzzies like this one.

Recommended Equipment

A medium-aperture telescope — 80 mm or larger — is what you want for M85. Pair that with dark skies away from Light pollution, and you will have a much easier time pulling detail out of this subtle glow.

Astrophotography Tips

M85 is a popular target for deep-sky imagers. The standard approach is tracking with an Equatorial mount, shooting at a higher ISO with exposures ranging from 30 seconds to several minutes. Those longer exposures reveal structural detail invisible to the eye. Stack multiple frames afterward to reduce noise and bring out a cleaner, more striking final image.

Wrap-Up

M85 is a lenticular galaxy in Coma Berenices that rewards patient, experienced observers. You will need a reasonably sized telescope to see it, but the effort is well worth it. When spring rolls around, point your scope toward Coma Berenices and give this one a try.