Messier 49, at right, is a large elliptical galaxy in the constellation of Virgo.

M49 is located 60 million light-years away and has a diameter of 160,000 light-years. It subtends an apparent angle of 10.2 x 8.3 arcminutes and shines at magnitude 8.3. It is located 3.75 degrees southwest of Rho Virginis.

M49 is the most luminous member of the Virgo Cluster and is believed to harbor a supermassive black hole in its center. 5,900 globular clusters also orbit this galaxy.

M49 was discovered by Charles Messier in 1771.

Several other galaxies are also prominent in the image. Hold your mouse cursor over the image to see object identifications.

• NGC 4535 is a magnitude 10.5 large spiral galaxy at upper left.
• NGC 4526 is a magnitude 9.7 lenticular galaxy located between two magnitude-7 stars at lower left.
• NGC 4492 is a magnitude 13.3 type-Sa small galaxy to the left of M49.
• NGC 4488 is a magnitude 13.0 barred-spiral type-SBO small galaxy at top right.

North is to the top in the above image.

Messier 49 Catalogs: M49, NGC 4472 Object Type: E2 Galaxy Magnitude: 8.3v Size: 10.2' x 8.3' Constellation: Virgo Image Field Centered At: RA: 12h 32m 00s Dec: +07° 56' 47"