Pinwheel Galaxy
spiral galaxy · Ursa Major · 7.7ᵐ
The Pinwheel Galaxy faces us flat-on and is twice the size of the Milky Way. Its low surface brightness demands a genuinely dark sky.
Notable facts
About the same apparent size as the full Moon.
In brief
Which constellation is Pinwheel Galaxy in?
Pinwheel Galaxy lies in Ursa Major.
Is Pinwheel Galaxy visible to the naked eye?
7.7ᵐ — visible with binoculars.
When is the best time to observe Pinwheel Galaxy?
Best observed in April.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 14h 03m · +54° 21′
- Type
- spiral galaxy
- Constellation
- Ursa Major
- How to observe
- 7.7ᵐ — visible with binoculars
- Angular size
- 29×27′
- Designation
- M101 · NGC 5457 · Pinwheel
Observing tip
Get away from city light pollution — it washes out the faint glow of galaxies first.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 84° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 89° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 81° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 66° | 20° |
| 0° | 36° | 36° |
| −35° | 1° | 7° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 06:18 |
| February | 04:10 |
| March | 02:25 |
| April | 00:32 |
| May | 22:37 |
| June | 20:31 |
| July | 18:27 |
| August | 16:26 |
| September | 14:33 |
| October | 12:45 |
| November | 10:44 |
| December | 08:35 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.