Observer's guide
About NGC 4579
NGC 4579 (M58) is catalogued as a spiral galaxy in Virgo. Its J2000 position is RA 12:37:43.52, Dec +11:49:05.5, corresponding to 189.4317 degrees RA and 11.8181 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 60,000,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 5.71 by 4.5 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as a moderate target at magnitude 9.7. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around March. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 49.8 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 Sy2. SIMBAD records the morphology as SA_B. A published radial velocity value is 1515 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 1145 bibliographic references.
At roughly 5.7 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 5.71 by 4.5 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.