Located in
the constellation of Virgo, amidst the cluster of galaxies know
as the Virgo cluster, is a spiral galaxy known as M61. This is
one of the larger galaxies in the cluster, measuring in at about
100,000 light-years in diameter. It is estimated to be located
some 60 million light-years from Earth. Messier originally
mistook this object for a comet. This galaxy's low luminosity,
about magnitude 9.7, makes it appear as nothing more than a
fuzzy spot in small optic instruments. A large telescope and
good sky conditions are needed to see any amount of detail.
