Elliptical Galaxy · Leo

M105 NGC 3379

Magnitude
9.3
Season
Spring
Difficulty
Moderate
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Imaging reference
NGC 3379 (M105) Elliptical Galaxy

Observer's guide

About NGC 3379

NGC 3379 (M105) is catalogued as an elliptical galaxy in Leo. Its J2000 position is RA 10:47:49.59, Dec +12:34:53.8, corresponding to 161.9567 degrees RA and 12.5816 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 38,000,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 5.13 by 4.68 arcminutes.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 9.3. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around February. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 50.6 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.

Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.

What to expect

The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is LIN. SIMBAD records the morphology as E1. A published radial velocity value is 874.7 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 1509 bibliographic references.

At roughly 5.1 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 5.13 by 4.68 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.

Sourced catalogue data

Scientific record

Measurements for M105 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 161.956667° · Dec 12.581631°
SIMBAD classification
LIN
Morphology
E1
Angular extent
5.13′ × 4.68′
Surface brightness
21.38 mag/arcsec²
Radial velocity
874.71 km/s
Redshift
0.002922
Linked bibliography
1,509 references
Best midnight placement
February
Observable latitude range
-77.4° to 90°

Source: SIMBAD astronomical database (CDS, Strasbourg) (ODbL; checked 2026-08-09). Catalogue values may change when new measurements are published.

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