Messier 90 (M90) is a spiral galaxy located approximately 60 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. Its stunning spiral structure and bright nucleus make it a popular target for amateur astronomers. To observe M90 effectively, choosing the right telescope is crucial.
Factors to Consider
When selecting a telescope for M90, consider the following factors:
- Aperture: Aperture is the diameter of the telescope’s objective lens or primary mirror. Larger apertures collect more light, resulting in brighter and more detailed images.
- Focal length: The focal length determines the magnification of the telescope. A shorter focal length provides a wider field of view, while a longer focal length offers higher magnification.
- Mount: The mount supports the telescope and ensures stability during observation. Sturdy mounts prevent vibrations and provide smooth tracking of celestial objects.
- Portability: Consider the weight and size of the telescope if you plan on transporting it.
- Budget: Set a budget that aligns with your needs and preferences.
Recommended Telescopes
Based on these factors, here are some of the best telescopes for observing M90:
| Telescope | Aperture (mm) | Focal Length (mm) | Mount | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron StarSense Explorer 8" | 203 | 1000 | Alt-azimuth | $399 |
| Orion StarBlast 6i | 150 | 450 | Dobsonian | $299 |
| Meade Instruments Infinity 80 | 80 | 600 | Alt-azimuth | $299 |
| Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P | 130 | 650 | Dobsonian | $299 |
| Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ | 130 | 650 | Equatorial | $349 |
Tips for Observing M90
To enhance your M90 observation experience:
- Choose a dark sky location: Light pollution can hinder visibility.
- Use a red light flashlight: This preserves your night vision.
- Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness: Give your eyes time to adapt to low light conditions.
- Start with a wide-field eyepiece: This will help you locate M90.
- Gradually increase magnification: Once you’ve found M90, switch to a higher magnification eyepiece for a closer view.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the best time to observe M90?
A: M90 is visible throughout the year, but the best time to observe it is during spring and summer evenings.
Q: Can I observe M90 with binoculars?
A: Yes, it is possible to observe M90 with binoculars, but a telescope will provide a clearer and more detailed image.
Q: What other celestial objects are near M90?
A: M90 is located near several other galaxies, including M88, M89, and M91.
Reference:
Messier 90 Photography Tips
- Use a wide-angle lens. This will allow you to capture the entire galaxy in one shot.
- Set your camera to manual mode. This will give you more control over the exposure settings.
- Use a low ISO setting. This will help to reduce noise in your image.
- Use a long exposure time. This will allow more light to enter the camera, resulting in a brighter image.
- Use a tripod. This will help to stabilize the camera and prevent blurry images.
- Use a remote shutter release. This will help to avoid camera shake when taking long exposures.
- Process your image in post-processing software. This can help to improve the contrast, color, and sharpness of the image.
Where is Messier 90 in the sky?
Messier 90 (M90) is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is approximately 60 million light-years away from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 9.5. M90 is a member of the Virgo Cluster and is one of the brightest galaxies in that cluster. It can be found using a telescope or binoculars, and its position in the sky is 12h 36m 49.6s (right ascension) and +13° 09′ 46″ (declination).
Hubble Space Telescope Images of Messier 90
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has captured stunning images of Messier 90 (M90), a spiral galaxy located approximately 60 million light-years away. These images reveal the galaxy’s intricate structure and provide insights into its formation and evolution.
Notable features observed in the HST images include:
- Spiral Arms: M90 exhibits well-defined spiral arms, characterized by young, blue stars forming in regions of active star formation.
- Bulge: The central bulge of M90 is prominent and contains an older population of red stars, indicating a history of star formation that occurred billions of years ago.
- Dust Lanes: Dark, dusty lanes can be seen trailing the spiral arms, obscuring the light from stars behind them.
- Star Clusters: Numerous star clusters are scattered throughout the galaxy, indicative of ongoing star formation.
- Nuclear Ring: A faint ring of stars surrounds the central black hole, providing evidence of past mergers or interactions with other galaxies.
Messier 90
Messier 90 (M90) is a barred spiral galaxy located approximately 60 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Virgo. It is classified as an SAab type galaxy, indicating a weakly barred spiral structure with loosely wound arms and a central bar that does not fully cross the galaxy’s nucleus.
M90 is a relatively small galaxy, with a diameter of around 100,000 light-years, and has a mass approximately 10% that of the Milky Way. It contains a large central bulge, which dominates the galaxy’s overall structure. The galaxy is also notable for its prominent star-forming regions, which give it a bright, bluish appearance.
M90 is an isolated galaxy, located far from any major clusters or groups. This has contributed to its relatively undisturbed appearance, making it a valuable object for studying the structure and evolution of spiral galaxies.
Stars in Messier 90
Messier 90, a spiral galaxy approximately 60 million light-years away, contains a diverse population of stars.
- Old Stars: Messier 90 hosts a significant number of old stars located primarily in the central bulge and bar regions. These stars are characterized by their red color and low metallicity, suggesting that they formed early in the galaxy’s history.
- Young Stars: While old stars dominate the central parts, younger stars are found in the galaxy’s spiral arms. These stars are responsible for the galaxy’s blue color and ongoing star formation.
- Supernova Remnants: Messier 90 exhibits several supernova remnants, which are the remnants of massive stars that have exploded. These remnants contribute to the galaxy’s diffuse X-ray emission.
- Variable Stars: Messier 90 also contains a variety of variable stars, including Cepheid variables and RR Lyrae stars. These stars are helpful for determining the distance and ages of the galaxy.
Messier Objects Similar to Messier 90
Messier 90 (M90) is a barred spiral galaxy located in the Virgo constellation. Galaxies with similar characteristics to M90 include:
- M88: A barred spiral galaxy with a similar size and structure to M90.
- M61: Another barred spiral galaxy with a more prominent bar and spiral arms.
- NGC 4565: A lenticular galaxy that shares a similar shape and orientation as M90.
- NGC 4536: A barred spiral galaxy with a more extended bar and a smaller bulge.
- NGC 4503: A barred spiral galaxy with a faint outer ring similar to M90.
Galaxy Clusters with Messier 90
Messier 90 (M90) is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is part of the Virgo Cluster, a massive galaxy cluster containing over 2,000 galaxies. M90 is estimated to be about 60 million light-years away from Earth.
The Virgo Cluster is located in the Virgo Supercluster, one of the largest superclusters in the known universe. It contains a rich population of galaxies, including elliptical, spiral, and irregular galaxies. The cluster is dominated by the giant elliptical galaxy M87, which is one of the most luminous galaxies in the universe.
M90 is a relatively small galaxy within the Virgo Cluster. It has a diameter of about 30,000 light-years, which is about one-fifth the size of the Milky Way. M90 has a mass of about 100 billion solar masses, which is about one-tenth the mass of the Milky Way.
M90 is a star-forming galaxy. New stars are forming in the spiral arms of the galaxy. M90 also contains a central black hole with a mass of about 10 million solar masses.
Virgo Cluster and Messier 90
The Virgo Cluster is a massive collection of galaxies approximately 60 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. It is one of the closest and largest galaxy clusters in the universe.
Messier 90 is a galaxy within the Virgo Cluster. It is a relatively small, barred spiral galaxy with a diameter of about 30,000 light-years. Messier 90 is notable for its bright nucleus and prominent spiral arms. It is a type 2 Seyfert galaxy, meaning it has a very luminous active nucleus powered by an accretion disk around a supermassive black hole.
The Virgo Cluster and Messier 90 are important objects of study for astronomers because they provide insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies and galaxy clusters.
Messier 90 Astrophotography Settings
To capture stunning astrophotography of Messier 90, consider the following settings:
- Camera: Full-frame or APS-C sensor with low noise and high dynamic range
- Lens: Wide-angle lens with a focal length between 20-50mm (for a full-frame camera)
- Aperture: f/2.8 or wider to gather maximum light
- Exposure Time: 30-120 seconds, depending on light pollution
- ISO: 1600-6400, adjusted to minimize noise while preserving detail
- Focus: Manual focus using a Bahtinov mask or star calibration
- Tracking: Use an equatorial mount with autoguiding for accurate tracking and minimal star trails
- Post-Processing: Apply noise reduction, contrast adjustment, and color correction to enhance the final image
Messier 90 Observing Guide for Beginners
Locating Messier 90:
- Messier 90 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo.
- Use a star chart or astronomy app to find the star Lambda Virginis (λ Vir).
- Messier 90 is located about 1 degree west and slightly north of Lambda Virginis.
Observing Tips:
- Use a telescope with an aperture of at least 8 inches for a clear view.
- Observe on a clear, moonless night.
- Use a nebula filter to enhance the galaxy’s brightness.
- Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 30 minutes before observing.
What to Expect:
- Messier 90 appears as a bright, oval-shaped galaxy.
- The galaxy’s nucleus is bright and compact.
- The spiral arms extend outwards from the nucleus, giving the galaxy its characteristic shape.
- You may also notice faint dust lanes and star-forming regions within the galaxy.
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