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.
