APOD: 2022 December 28 - Messier 88

Good morning, Rallypoint, and welcome to the December 28th Hump Day edition of Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD): "Messier 88." Messier 88 (M88) is one of nine objects cataloged by Charles Messier on March 18, 1781. The others were also in the constellation Coma Berenices and the constellations Hercules and Virgo. While Messier's initial observations were non-descript at best ('nebula without star'), Irish astronomer William Parsons (Lord Rosse) recognized M88 as a spiral nebula in 1850.

His (Lord Rosse) telescope contained a six-foot diameter mirror, which was the largest telescope in the world for over 70 years. The telescope is currently housed in a Science Center located on the grounds of Birr Castle, County Offaly (Ireland), and is open to the public. Birr Castle is located (roughly) half-way between Galway and Dublin and north of Seffin.