ESA & NASA Hubble Image: Messier 61

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA; Acknowledgements: G. Chapdelaine, L. Limatola, and R. Gendler 

Nearby spiral galaxy Messier 61 (NGC 4303) faces Earth, as it glows 55 million light-years away. 

The galaxy has a diameter of around 100,000 light years, making it about the size of the Milky Way. 

Notably, six observed supernovae exist within Messier 61, placing it in a group of galaxies which includes Messier 83, also with six supernovae observed, and NGC 6946, having nine observed supernovae. 

Messier 61 makes up part of the Virgo Galaxy Cluster, a massive group of galaxies in the constellation of Virgo (the Virgin).