<templatestyles src="Template:Sky/styles.css" />Coordinates: Sky map 12h 22m 54.8616s, +15° 49′ 17.886″

Messier 100

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Messier 100 (also known as NGC 4321 or the Mirror Galaxy) is a grand design intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation of Coma Berenices.[1]Template:R/superscript It is one of the brightest and largest galaxies in the Virgo Cluster and is approximately 55 million light-years[2]Template:R/superscript from our galaxy, about 166,000 light-years in diameter. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781Template:Efn and 29 days later seen again and entered by Charles Messier in his catalogue "of nebulae and star clusters".[3]Template:R/superscript[4]Template:R/superscript It was one of the first spiral galaxies to be discovered,[4] and was listed as one of fourteen spiral nebulae by Lord William Parsons of Rosse in 1850. NGC 4323 and NGC 4328 are satellite galaxies of M100; the former is connected with it by a bridge of luminous matter.[5]Template:R/superscript[6]Template:R/superscript

Early observations

File:Widefield View of M100.png
This is a widefield view of the galaxy, M100, directly left of the center of the picture - captured with an amateur telescope in 2025.

After the discovery of M100 by Méchain, Charles Messier made observations of the galaxy depicting it as a nebula without a star. He pointed out that it was difficult to recognize the nebula because of its faintness.[4] William Herschel was able to identify a bright cluster of stars within the "nebula" during his observations.[4] His son John expanded the findings in 1833. With the advent of better telescopes, John Herschel was able to see a round, brighter galaxy; however, he also mentioned that it was barely visible through clouds. William Henry Smyth extended the studies of M100, detailing it as a pearly white nebula and pointing out diffuse spots.[4]

Star formation

Messier 100 is considered a starburst galaxy[7]Template:R/superscript with the strongest star formation activity concentrated in its center, within a ring – actually two tightly wound spiral arms attached to a small nuclear bar of radius: one thousand parsecs[8]Template:R/superscript – where star formation has been taking place for at least 500 million years in separate bursts.[9]Template:R/superscript

Supernovae

File:Noirlab2019b.jpg
Supernova SN 2019ehk in M100 (Hubble)

Seven supernovae have been identified in M100:[1]

See also

References and footnotes

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External links

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