- M 104 The Sombrero Galaxy
The Sombrero Galaxy (also known as NGC 4594) in the constellation Virgo is a classic among edge-on spiral galaxies. The plane of the galaxy is tipped downward only 6 degrees from our point of view. What makes this galaxy unique is the dark, continuous band of dust around its perimeter that divides the object into distinct upper and lower portions. M 104 has also been called the "UFO Galaxy" because of this shape. This galaxy is considered as a transitional form between spiral and elliptical galaxies. It contains both spiral arms and a large elliptical halo of stars around it. M 104 has a physical diameter of around 105,000 LY and lies at a distance of around 44.7 million LY. It is not a part of the large Virgo Cluster of galaxies, but is a foreground object to it.
M 104 was discovered by Pierre Mechain in May of 1781. It did not appear in Messier's original list of objects, but was later included based on a description of the object in Messier's notes.
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