M104 is an edge-on spiral galaxy in Virgo. Its common name is the Sombrero Galaxy. The view through a moderate aperture telescope under a dark sky will reveal why. M104 resides in Virgo but is easier to locate, if you begin your star hop in Corvus. The four brightest members of this constellation should be easy to find. They form a sail and give the impression of a ship about to crest the southern horizon. Find and center 3rd magnitude Delta Corvi. Slew north about 3 degrees to a triangular arrangement of moderately bright, 5th and 6th magnitude stars. These point the way to M104. Follow their line about one degree to a close pair of mid-6th magnitude stars. Slew 1 degree east-northeast from this pair and you will run smack dab into the Sombrero.
| Spring Sky Tour: M104-The Sombrero Galaxy (Virgo) RA: 12h 40.0m / DEC: -11° 37'.4 |
|
|
Home | About Cosmic Voyage | Getting Started | Deep-sky Observing | Planetary Observing | Astrophotography | Sketching | Glossary | Web Links
URL: http://www.cosmicvoyage.net
Layout, design & revisions © W. D. Ferris
Comments and Suggestions: wdferris1@gmail.com
Revised: May 18, 2008 [WDF]
M104 is an edge-on spiral galaxy featuring an impressive dark lane, hence the nickname. Its appearance through moderate aperture can be impressive. The dark lane runs the length of the galactic disk with a visible central bulge extending above and below the plane. M104 was among the first galaxies to have its radial velocity measured. The Sombrero is receding from the Milky Way at more than 1,000 km per second. The astronomer who first made these measurements was Vesto Slipher of Lowell Observatory. During the 1920's, Edwin Hubble used Slipher's radial velocity work to help build the case for an expanding universe. Ultimately, this would lead to the modern Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe.