Cat’s Eye Galaxy
spiral galaxy · Canes Venatici · 8.1ᵐ
A Messier catalogue object — spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici.
Notable facts
About 1/3 the apparent diameter of the Moon.
In brief
Which constellation is Cat’s Eye Galaxy in?
Cat’s Eye Galaxy lies in Canes Venatici.
Is Cat’s Eye Galaxy visible to the naked eye?
8.1ᵐ — visible with binoculars.
When is the best time to observe Cat’s Eye Galaxy?
Best observed in April.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 12h 51m · +41° 07′
- Type
- spiral galaxy
- Constellation
- Canes Venatici
- How to observe
- 8.1ᵐ — visible with binoculars
- Angular size
- 11×9′
- Designation
- M94 · NGC 4736 · Cat’s Eye Galaxy
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° | 71° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 76° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 86° | 22° |
| +30° | 79° | 41° |
| 0° | 49° | 49° |
| −35° | 14° | 37° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 05:05 |
| February | 02:58 |
| March | 01:13 |
| April | 23:19 |
| May | 21:25 |
| June | 19:19 |
| July | 17:15 |
| August | 15:14 |
| September | 13:21 |
| October | 11:32 |
| November | 09:32 |
| December | 07:23 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.