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39°/-77.5°
GMT -4
Waxing20:15 - 05:54
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M102: Rise, Set, Nighttime Path

M102

M102 Daily Motion

M102 is circumpolar, never setting below the horizon and always visible in the night sky from your location. However, it will change its position significantly, moving 68 degrees over time. You can find the best times to observe M102, when it reaches its highest elevation, in the annual motion section.
M102 will be visible throughout the entire year. However, it will change its position significantly, moving 68 degrees over time. You can find the best times to observe M102, when it reaches its highest elevation, in the annual motion section.

M102 Rise and Set Timetable

TimeElevation
M102 is always above the horizon
M102 transit16:3573°
Sunset19:1659°
Civil sunset19:4455°
Astrosession begin20:1550°
M102 is always above the horizon
Astrosession end05:546°
Civil sunrise06:258°
Sunrise06:539°

M102 Sky Tracker Map

Elevation (degrees)
Time
Altitude
Azimuth
Shift the map to change the time and observe M102 changing position in the night sky.

M102 - Spindle Galaxy

The Spindle Galaxy (M102) is a lenticular galaxy located in the constellation Draco. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 and later cataloged by Charles Messier. M102 is known for its edge-on orientation and bright central bulge.

M102 spans about 85,000 light-years across and contains a massive population of stars, gas, and dust. The galaxy is approximately 50 million light-years away from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 10.7, making it visible with a small telescope.

M102 Image Gallery

DSS Blue

M102 photo taken with blue filter
These images are valuable for highlighting the presence of younger, hotter stars, which emit more light in the blue wavelengths.

DSS Red

M102 photo taken with red filter
These images are excellent for detecting older, cooler stars, as well as emission nebulae, which glow primarily in the red due to hydrogen alpha emissions.

DSS Near-Infrared

M102 photo taken with Near-Infrared filter
These images can penetrate dust clouds that obscure visible light, revealing structures and objects hidden within.

DSS Composite image

M102 color image
DSS Color images are composite images created by combining the blue, red, and often near-infrared images to produce a full-color representation.

The photos are taken from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2), which was produced at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) under NASA contract, using data from the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the European Southern Observatory (ESO), and the National Geographic Society-Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS II).

Special thanks to the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, and the California Institute of Technology for their significant contributions.

Finder Chart for M102

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Object nameM102
Field of view
Limiting magnitude
M102 coordinates15.10819, 55.76322
Center coordinates15.10819, 55.76322

M102 Passage Through Night

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Current position of M102

Time18:37
Latitude39.0469
Longitude-77.4903
M102 elevation64°
M102 Azimuth40°
Here you can see the current position of the M102 on the map, as well as its positions for rise and set. This tool allows you to track the M102's movement throughout the night, providing you with accurate and up-to-date information.

Annual motion of M102

Time
DateMon, 16 September 2024
Twighlight start20:43
Twighlight end05:16
Twighlight duration9h 33m
RiseM102 is always up
SetM102 is always up
Elevation at transit73°
Transit time16:31
Equatorial coordinateRA: 15h 06m 29s, Dec: 55° 45' 47"
Magnitude10
ConstellationDraco
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a M102, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the M102 is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.