Messier 102, also known as M102, is a lenticular galaxy in the constellation Draco seen almost exactly edge-on, giving it a distinctive spindle-like appearance and the popular nickname the Spindle Galaxy. Pierre Mechain reported the object in 1781, but its identity was disputed for two centuries, with some historians arguing his observation was actually a duplicate of Messier 101 rather than a separate object; the modern consensus, though not universal, identifies M102 with NGC 5866, which lies roughly 50 million light-years from Earth.
Facts
Classification
Constellation In the Other Atlases
In Constellation
Also in Divinity Atlas: the constellation this subject lies in.
Sources
1. Wikidata: Messier 102
- Wikidata Q14374, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- wikidata-q14374 Wikidata claim (w-bbfill-edspace5-0927)
View the Source2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationMessier 102, Wikipedia - lead section, catalogue classificationQuote, Messier 102, Wikipedia - lead section, catalogue classification
Messier 102 (also known as M102) is a galaxy listed in the Messier Catalogue that cannot be unambiguously identified.
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