🌌 M86
Object data
| Type | Galaxy |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Right ascension | 12h26m11.8s (186.5490°) |
| Declination | +12°56'46" (+12.9461°) |
| Magnitude | mag 8.9 |
| Apparent size | 8.9′ × 5.8′ |
| Other designations | NGC 4406 |
A lenticular galaxy in Virgo, moving unusually fast within the Virgo Cluster.
Midnight transit date (best season to observe and image)
Location: Tokyo (change)
Around Mar 25, 2026
The date it transits around midnight (transit altitude about 67°)
This date has already passed this year. Next year (2027) it will be around Mar 25.
For about 2–3 weeks either side of this date, the object stays high from evening to dawn — its observing season.
Best time to observe tonight
Tonight (Oct 12 evening – Oct 13 dawn) · Location: Tokyo (full darkness = end of astronomical dusk to start of dawn, altitude ≥ 15°)
Moon tonight: Waxing crescent (age 1.1 days, 1% illuminated) — Little moonlight — a good time for faint objects
It does not reach 15° during full darkness tonight (it is high only in daytime or twilight at this time of year).
Night (sunset – sunrise)
Full darkness (dusk – dawn)
Moon up (darker = brighter moon)
Best time to observe (thick line)
Now
Sunset 17:10 → Dusk 18:35 → Dawn 4:20 → Sunrise 5:45