M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258)
M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is known for its active nucleus and the presence of a massive black hole at its center.
What Type of Galaxy is M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258)
M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) is classified as a spiral galaxy. It features well-defined spiral arms and a central bulge, characteristic of this galaxy type.
How old is M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258)
Determining the exact age of M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) is challenging, but it is estimated to be around 22 million years based on studies of its stellar populations and star formation history.
M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) Size in Light Years
The size of M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) spans an area of approximately about 135,000 light-years.
M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) Diameter in Light Years and Compared to Milky Way
The diameter of M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) is approximately about 135,000 light-years. Compared to the Milky Way, M106 is slightly larger, as the Milky Way has a diameter of about 100,000 light-years.
M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) Mass in Solar Masses
Estimates suggest that the mass of M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) is approximately about 100 billion solar masses. The galaxy's mass influences its gravitational interactions and its active nucleus.
M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) Location
M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) is located in the constellation Canes Venatici. Its celestial coordinates are approximately right ascension 12h 18m 57s and declination +47° 18' 14". It is part of the Virgo Supercluster.
10 Interesting Fun Facts about M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258)
- M106 is famous for its anomalous arms, twisting out from its center, likely caused by gravitational interactions with its satellite galaxies.
- It has a remarkable water maser emission, allowing precise measurements of its distance and aiding in the determination of the Hubble constant.
- The central region of M106 contains a supermassive black hole with a mass of around 40 million times that of the Sun.
- The galaxy's proximity to Earth facilitates detailed observations, providing insights into galactic dynamics and black hole accretion.
- M106 is part of the M106 Group, a small galaxy group that includes several other galaxies.
- It has been a target for various telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
- The galaxy's spiral arms contain regions of intense star formation, visible in optical and infrared wavelengths.
- Studies of M106 have contributed to our understanding of the role of black holes in galaxy evolution.
- M106's anomalous arms are thought to result from gravitational interactions with the nearby galaxy NGC 4248.
- The galaxy's unique features make it an intriguing subject for astronomers studying the connection between galactic dynamics, black holes, and star formation.
M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) Distance from Earth in Light Years and Miles / Km
M106 Galaxy (NGC 4258) is located at an approximate distance of about 22 million light-years from Earth. In miles, this is roughly 1.29e+23 miles (2.07e+23 km) away. The galaxy's relatively close distance allows astronomers to study its features in detail, making it a valuable object of observation.