M87
4-8 inch Telescope • Active Galaxies
Image: ESO
Finder map for M87
The image of the M87* black hole became a global phenomenon, representing a landmark achievement in science and providing a tangible image for one of the most enigmatic objects in the universe. Best observed when high in the sky to reduce atmospheric extinction and improve contrast, as the galaxy has low surface brightness and subtle visual structure. In a 4–8 inch telescope, M87 appears as a bright, oval glow with a condensed core. The famous relativistic jet is not visually detectable at this aperture and is known primarily from large professional telescopes and imaging.
Finder scope & binocular view of M87
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Common names | Virgo A, The Smoking Gun |
| Catalog names | M 87, NGC 4486, PGC 41361, UGC 7654, Arp 152 |
| Type | Galaxy |
| Subtype | Active Galactic Nucleus |
| Coordinates | 12h 30m 49.42s, +12° 23’ 28.04” |
| Season | March - May |
| Best month | April |
| Beginner friendly | Marginal |
| Visual reward | Moderate |
| Filters required | None |
| LP tolerance | Medium |
| Minimum equipment | Small telescope |
| Optimal equipment | Medium telescope |
| Magnitude | 8.6 |
| Size | 8.32 arcminutes x 6.6 arcminutes |
| Constellation | Virgo |
Observation Notes
Naked Eye
Not visible.
Binoculars
Not visible.
Small Telescope
Detectable in apertures of roughly 4–6 inches as a small, round, non-stellar glow with a noticeably condensed center. The surrounding halo is faint and lacks visible structure.
Medium Telescope
Shows a strongly condensed nucleus embedded in a broad, diffuse, circular halo that fades gradually into the background sky. Little or no internal detail is visible, even under good conditions.
Large Telescope
The galaxy’s full extent becomes more apparent as a large, low-contrast halo surrounding the bright central region. No reliable visual structure is seen. The famous jet is a photographic feature and is not a dependable visual target, even in very large amateur telescopes.