View source for Spindle galaxy

{{Night Sky
| image           =Ngc5866 hst big.png
| designation     =[[Messier catalogue|Messier 102]]<br/>[[NGC]] 5866
| rightascension  =15<sup>h</sup> 06<sup>m</sup> 29.5<sup>s</sup> 
| declination     =+55° 45′ 48″
| constellation   =Draco (constellation){{!}}Draco
| type            =Lenticular galaxy
| dimensions      = 4.7 x 1.9'<ref name=messier-objects>[http://www.messier-objects.com/messier-102-spindle-galaxy/ The spindle galaxy] from messier-objects.com</ref>
| magnitude       =Apparent Mag: +10.7<ref name=messier-objects/><br/>Absolute Mag: 
| redshift        =0.002528±0.000417<ref name=simbad>[http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=m102&submit=submit+id M102] from simbad.u-strasbg.fr</ref>
| distance        =50&nbsp;million light years<ref name=messier-objects/>
| radvelocity     =672 km/s<ref name=messier-objects/><ref name=simbad/>
| propmotion      =
| parallax        =
}}
The '''Spindle galaxy''' (M102, NGC 5866) is a [[galaxy]] in the constellation of [[Draco (constellation)|Draco]].<ref name=messier-objects/> It is classified as a [[lenticular galaxy]], classification S0.  It can be observed with a small [[telescope]] with ease.

==History==
It is likely that it was discovered by [[Charles Messier]] or Pierre Méchain in 1781, but was also discovered independently by [[William Herschel]] 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 referred to as the "Spindle galaxy".

==Environment and Structure==
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===
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==
{{reflist}}

{{Galaxies}}

[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Galaxies]]
[[Category:Messier Objects]]