Observer's guide
About Virgo A
Virgo A (M87) is catalogued as an elliptical galaxy in Virgo. Its J2000 position is RA 12:30:49.42, Dec +12:23:28.0, corresponding to 187.7059 degrees RA and 12.3911 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 60,000,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 6.3 by 5.73 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as a moderate target at magnitude 8.6. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around March. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 50.4 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 AGN. SIMBAD records the morphology as E-E/S0. A published radial velocity value is 1256.5 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 7916 bibliographic references.
At roughly 6.3 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 6.3 by 5.73 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.