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Galaxy Facts
Sombrero Galaxy Facts
Sombrero Galaxy Facts
Name
: Sombrero Galaxy
Type of Galaxy
: Lenticular Galaxy
Estimated Size
: 49,000 light-years (diameter)
Estimated Stars
: ± 700 billion stars
Distance from Earth
: ± 31 million light-years
Discovered
: May 11, 1781
Discovered by
: Pierre Mechain
12 Sombrero Galaxy Facts for Kids
Sombrero is a lenticular galaxy in our universe.
The Sombrero Galaxy is also known as M104, Messier 104 and NGC 4594.
The Sombrero Galaxy got its name by having the same shape and appearance of a Sombrero hat.
The Sombrero Galaxy was discovered by Pierre Mechain on May 11th, 1781.
The apparent magnitude of the Sombrero Galaxy is +8.0.
The Sombrero Galaxy has an estimated diameter of 49,000 light-years.
The Sombrero Galaxy is around 31 million light-years from Earth.
Astronomers estimate the Sombrero Galaxy has around 700 billion stars.
The center of the Sombrero Galaxy has a supermassive black hole.
In 2009, astronomers discovered an ultracompact dwarf galaxy that is a satellite galaxy of Sombrero.
You can locate the Sombrero Galaxy at 11.5° west of Spica and 5.5° northeast of Eta Corvi.
You can view the Sombrero Galaxy using 7x35 binoculars or a 4 inch small telescope.
More Galaxy Facts
Andromeda Galaxy Facts
Black Eye Galaxy Facts
Elliptical Galaxy Facts
Irregular Galaxy Facts
Lenticular Galaxy Facts
Milky Way Galaxy Facts
Sombrero Galaxy Facts
Spiral Galaxy Facts
Whirlpool Galaxy Facts
More Galaxy Facts
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Andromeda Galaxy Facts
Black Eye Galaxy Facts
Elliptical Galaxy Facts
Irregular Galaxy Facts
Lenticular Galaxy Facts
Milky Way Galaxy Facts
Sombrero Galaxy Facts
Spiral Galaxy Facts
Whirlpool Galaxy Facts
Sombrero Galaxy Pictures
An infrared photo of the Sombrero Galaxy.
Credit: NASA / ESA
A mosaic photo of the Sombrero Galaxy.
Credit: Patrice Paquette
The heat signatures of the Sombrero Galaxy.
Credit: Unknown
Additional Resources with Sombrero Galaxy Facts
Messier 104 (The Sombrero Galaxy)
- Learn more about the Sombrero Galaxy on the NASA website.
Sombrero Galaxy: Hidden Double in a Hat
- An excellent article about the Sombrero Galaxy on the Space.com website.
The Sombrero Galaxy
- Discover more amazing information and facts about the Sombrero Galaxy on the European Southern Observatory website.