Large and bright, Messier 106, at upper left, is located in the constellation of Canes Venatici. Numerous other smaller galaxies are also seen in the frame, the most prominent being NGC 4217 at lower right.

With dust lanes near the nucleus, M106 is an SBbc type galaxy that is dominated by two spiral arms seen very faintly in this photograph. The core of the galaxy exhibits prominent x-ray and radio emissions, and twin jets have been found along the length of the galaxy.

At 25 million lights-years away, M106 is the closest example of a Seyfert galaxy, where large amounts of gas are thought to be falling into a massive black hole in the center of the galaxy.

Seyfert galaxies have quasar-like nuclei but are closer and less luminous than quasars. Their host galaxies are also easily detectable.

M106 can be found by drawing an imaginary line from Dubhe to Phecda in the Big Dipper and extending it the same distance to the southeast.

North is to the top in the above image.

Messier 106 Catalogs: M106, NGC 4258 Object Type: SAB(s)bc Galaxy Magnitude: 8.3v Size: 18.6' x 7.2' Constellation: Canes Venatici Image Field Centered At: RA: 12h 17m 42s Dec: +47° 16' 42"