Elliptical Galaxy in Leo

 

Messier 105, M105
 

 

Image Information
Date Imaged

12/2006

Location Imaged From

Tierra del Sol , CA

Equipment Telescope: Meade 10" LX200
Mount: Ulti-Wedge
Camera: SBIG ST-7e CCD NABG
Focal Ratio: f/6.3
Exposure Information

11 X 120 seconds

Messier 105 (also known as M105 and NGC 3379) is an elliptical galaxy in the constellation Leo. Messier 105 is known to have a supermassive black hole.

Messier 105 was discovered by Pierre Méchain on 24 March 1781, just a few days after he discovered the nearby galaxies Messier 95 and Messier 96. This galaxy is one of several that were not originally included in the original Messier Catalogue compiled by Charles Messier. Messier 105 was included in the catalog only when Helen S. Hogg found a letter by Méchain describing Messier 105 and when the object described by Méchain was identified as a galaxy previously named NGC 3379.