M95 and M96 are a spiral galaxy pair in Leo, in the belly of the beast. Begin your star hop at Regulus, the 1.4 magnitude star in the heart of the lion. Your hop will take you 2.7 degrees northeast to 5.4 magnitude 37 Leonis. From here, move about 4 degrees east to another 5.4 magnitude star, 46 Leonis. The third leg of the hop travels 3.4 degrees east to 5.5 magnitude 52 Leonis. M95 and M96 are located 2.5 degrees to the south. The adventurous star-hopper might attempt to locate the pair by slewing 9 degrees due east from Regulus.
| Spring Sky Tour: M95 & M96 (Leo) |
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| M95: Barred Spiral Galaxy (Leo) RA: 10h 44.0m / DEC: +11° 42'.2 |
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| M96: Spiral Galaxy (Leo) RA: 10h 46.8m / DEC: +11° 49'.3 |
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Revised: February 15, 2002 [WDF]
A 190X view presents these galaxies in their full glory. M95 is a fat oval, aligned north-south over a 5'x3' area. This 9.7 magnitude SBb-type galaxy features a stellar core embedded within a bright inner core region. This inner core occupies a 60"x30" area and is encased within the 5'x3' outer nebulosity. A 10th magnitude GSC star shines 6'.5 due west. Nine additional field stars frame the view. M96 neighbors 42' to the east-northeast.
Nearby M96 is an Sab-type spiral galaxy. Its 9.2 magnitude glow is spread over a 5'x3' area, which is aligned north-south. Similar to its bright neighbor, M96 displays a stellar core within a brighter core region. The outer disk drops noticeably in brightness. Fourteen field stars frame the view.