Changes

==History==

==History==

It is likely that it was discovered by Charles Messier or Pierre Méchain in 1781, but was also discovered independently by William Hershel in 1788. There remains a controversey as to whether the Spindle galaxy is in fact a duplication of M101 found in Ursa Major as Messier did not include a position when he added it to his catalogue.

It is likely that it was discovered by Charles Messier or Pierre Méchain in 1781, but was also discovered independently by William Hershel in 1788. There remains a controversy as to whether the Spindle galaxy is in fact a duplication of M101 found in Ursa Major as Messier did not include a position when he added it to his catalogue.

To add to this, there is also another galaxy in the Serpens [[constellation]] that is sometimes refered to as the "Spindle galaxy".

To add to this, there is also another galaxy in the Serpens [[constellation]] that is sometimes referred to as the "Spindle galaxy".

==Environment and Structure==

==Environment and Structure==

The galaxy is 60,000 [[light year]]s across, two thirds that of the [[Milky Way]] and posesses a small bulge surrounding a bright nucleus. It is estimated to contain 100 billion [[star]]s.<ref>[https://freestarcharts.com/messier-102 Messier 102] from freestarcharts.com</ref>

The galaxy is 60,000 [[light year]]s across, two thirds that of the [[Milky Way]] and possesses a small bulge surrounding a bright nucleus. It is estimated to contain 100 billion [[star]]s.<ref>[https://freestarcharts.com/messier-102 Messier 102] from freestarcharts.com</ref>

===Dust Lane===

===Dust Lane===

Unusually for a lenticular galaxy, Messier 102 contains a large [[dust]] lane spread out across the width of the galaxy.<ref name=messier-objects/> Some belive that the dust has a ring shape, but this is impossible to tell as the galaxy is viewed edge on. Although classified as lenticular, M102 may in fact be a [[spiral galaxy]] and have been misclassified due to its edge on view. The extent of the dust would be common for a spiral galaxy. It is belived star formation is going on inside this dust.<ref>[https://www.universetoday.com/49764/messier-102/ M102] from universetoday.com</ref>

Unusually for a lenticular galaxy, Messier 102 contains a large [[dust]] lane spread out across the width of the galaxy.<ref name=messier-objects/> Some believe that the dust has a ring shape, but this is impossible to tell as the galaxy is viewed edge on. Although classified as lenticular, M102 may in fact be a [[spiral galaxy]] and have been misclassified due to its edge on view. The extent of the dust would be common for a spiral galaxy. It is believed star formation is going on inside this dust.<ref>[https://www.universetoday.com/49764/messier-102/ M102] from universetoday.com</ref>

==References==

==References==