Observer's guide
About NGC 4649
NGC 4649 (M60) is catalogued as an elliptical galaxy in Virgo. Its J2000 position is RA 12:43:39.98, Dec +11:33:09.7, corresponding to 190.9165 degrees RA and 11.5527 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 60,000,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 6.43 by 5.05 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 8.8. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around March. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 49.6 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
A small telescope under reasonably dark skies is a good starting point; use the live altitude chart to choose its highest point.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is GiC. SIMBAD records the morphology as S0. A published radial velocity value is 1014.6 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 1407 bibliographic references.
At roughly 6.4 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 6.43 by 5.05 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.