M88 is an impressive galaxy just across the border from Virgo in Coma Berenices. M88 is amidst a swarm of bright galaxies gathered about 3 degrees east of the T-asterism, the stellar grouping used to launch your tour of the Virgo cluster. M88 has an 11th magnitude star immediately to the north and a close pair of 11th magnitude stars to the south. This 9.7 magnitude galaxy covers a 6'x3' area and features a prominent spiral arm sweeping to the northwest. These details are presented in the sketch at left, made at 129X in the 10-inch Starfinder Newtonian. M91 resides 49' to the east.

Click on the button to see a map of the Virgo cluster.