Spiral Galaxy · Coma Berenices

M91 NGC 4548

Magnitude
10.2
Season
Spring
Difficulty
Very Hard
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Imaging reference
NGC 4548 (M91) Spiral Galaxy

Observer's guide

About NGC 4548

NGC 4548 (M91) is catalogued as a spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices. Its J2000 position is RA 12:35:26.45, Dec +14:29:46.8, corresponding to 188.8602 degrees RA and 14.4963 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 60,000,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 5.25 by 4.32 arcminutes.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a very hard target at magnitude 10.2. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around March. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 52.5 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 SB_a. A published radial velocity value is 489 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 643 bibliographic references.

At roughly 5.3 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 5.25 by 4.32 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 M91 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 188.860186° · Dec 14.496322°
SIMBAD classification
LIN
Morphology
SB_a
Angular extent
5.25′ × 4.32′
Position angle
138°
Surface brightness
22.22 mag/arcsec²
Radial velocity
489 km/s
Redshift
0.00163246
Linked bibliography
643 references
Best midnight placement
March
Observable latitude range
-75.5° 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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