M86 (NGC 4406) Observation Guide — A Lenticular Galaxy in Virgo

Overview

M86 is a lenticular galaxy sitting in the constellation Virgo, also cataloged as NGC 4406. At an apparent Magnitude of 8.9 and roughly 600,000 light-years from Earth, it qualifies as an advanced-level target that comes into prime viewing position during spring evenings.

So what exactly is a lenticular galaxy? Think of it as a hybrid between a spiral and an elliptical galaxy. It still has a disk structure, but the spiral arms have all but disappeared.

Key Data

Physical Characteristics

This galaxy lies approximately 600,000 light-years away, shining at an apparent Magnitude of 8.9.

The universe is thought to contain hundreds of billions of galaxies, yet only a select few made it into the Messier catalog. These are among the brightest deep-sky objects, well within reach of amateur telescopes.

Observation Guide

How to Find It

M86 sits within the Virgo cluster region. During spring, it transits around 8 to 10 PM, placing it high enough for comfortable viewing. Start by identifying the main stars of Virgo, then use a star chart or planetarium app to zero in on the exact position.

Tips for Observing

Dark skies and a generous aperture work in your favor when hunting galaxies. Keep the magnification low for a wider field of view, and give your eyes a solid 20 minutes or so to dark-adapt before you start searching.

Recommended Equipment

A small telescope will get you started on this target. For the best results, head to a dark-sky site and use an instrument with at least 80 mm of aperture.

Astrophotography Tips

M86 is a rewarding astrophotography subject. Mount your scope on an equatorial mount for guided tracking, bump up the ISO, and take long exposures in the range of 30 seconds to several minutes. Details invisible to the naked eye will start to emerge. Stack multiple frames afterward to beat down the noise and pull out a clean, detailed image.

Wrap-Up

M86 is an advanced-level lenticular galaxy waiting for you in Virgo. You will need a moderately sized telescope to tease it out, but the reward is well worth the effort. When spring skies roll around, give it a shot.