M90

Messier 90 is one of the spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies. This galaxy has smooth bright arms which appear to be completely lacking in star formation. Only the inner disk region, near the darker dust lanes, reveals the blue color of recently born stars and there is speculation that this galaxy may evolving into an elliptical or lenticular system. Although one of the larger spirals in the Virgo Cluster, M90 seems to have a relatively low total mass which implies that it is of very low density. Since this object is approaching us at a velocity of about 250 miles per second, M90 appears to be in the process of escaping the cluster, which is moving away from us due to the expansion of the universe.

Image taken February 28, 2012, through broken clouds, with the C-14 operating at F:3.5 and the ST-8 camera binned 2 X 2. Exposure is 7 1/2 minutes.