M89 (NGC 4552) is an elliptical galaxy in the Virgo Cluster. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1781.

 

M89 appears to be almost spherical, although this may because any elongation it has happens to be along our line of sight. It is accompanied by roughly 2,000 globular clusters – about 10 times the number in our own galaxy.

 

M89 harbors a compact radio source in its nucleus indicative of an active core. Its central activity was emphasized when Hubble observations revealed a transient flare of ultraviolet light from the central regions.

 

visual magnitude	10.7
apparent size	5.1 × 4.7
distance	50 million light-years (15 Mpc)
position	RA 12h 35m 40s, Dec +12° 33' 23"