Messier 109, a master of elegance – 9 April 2026
Messier 109 (NGC 3992) is among the most spectacular cosmic islands out there and we are very happy with the image we show below.
Messier 109 (NGC 3992). 9 April 2026.
The image above comes from the sigma clipping combination of 23, 300-second, unguided exposures, unfiltered, remotely taken with the the Celestron C14+Paramount ME+SBIG ST10-XME robotic unit available as part of the Virtual Telescope Project in Manciano, Italy.
Messier 109 (M 109), also known as NGC 3992, is a striking barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major, at a distance of about 83 million light-years from Earth. It is one of the faintest objects in Charles Messier’s catalog, yet it remains a fascinating target for both professional astronomers and dedicated amateur observers.
The most distinctive feature of M 109 is its prominent central bar, a structure of stars that stretches across the galaxy’s core and acts as a dynamic engine driving its evolution. From the ends of this bar extend loosely wound spiral arms, rich in gas, dust, and regions of active star formation. These arms are not perfectly symmetrical, giving the galaxy a slightly irregular and dynamic appearance.
At the heart of M109 lies a supermassive black hole, hidden within a relatively bright nucleus. Although not among the most active galactic cores, it still plays a crucial role in the internal dynamics of the galaxy.
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