M95 - NGC 3351

Messier 95 (NGC 3351) is a barred spiral galaxy located approximately 33 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo. It was discovered by Pierre Mechain in 1781 and cataloged by Charles Messier the same year. M95 is a member of the Leo I Group (also called the M96 Group), a collection of galaxies that also includes M96 and M105. The galaxy is classified as an SBb barred spiral and spans approximately 46,000 light-years in diameter. M95 features a well-defined central bar with a bright, compact ring of star formation encircling the nucleus, similar to but smaller than the starburst ring seen in M94. This nuclear ring is about 2,000 light-years in diameter and is a site of intense ongoing star formation, likely fueled by gas channeled inward along the bar. The spiral arms of M95 are relatively faint and loosely wound, extending from the ends of the bar. In March 2012, a Type IIn supernova designated SN 2012aw was discovered in M95, reaching a peak magnitude of about 12.7 and providing valuable data on this subclass of core-collapse supernovae. M95 has a visual magnitude of about 9.7 and a relatively low surface brightness outside the bar and nuclear ring. The galaxy has been used as a calibrator for the cosmic distance ladder, with Cepheid variable stars detected by the Hubble Space Telescope providing an accurate distance measurement. In amateur telescopes, M95 appears as a small, oval glow with a brighter center. The bar structure requires 8-inch or larger telescopes and good conditions to discern, and the faint spiral arms are extremely challenging visually.

M95 spans approximately 46,000 light-years in diameter and lies about 33 million light-years from Earth in the Leo I galaxy group.