M58

Messier 58, designated M58, is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is a member of the Virgo Cluster, a nearby collection of galaxies that lies roughly 60 million light-years from Earth (about 18–19 megaparsecs). M58 was observed by Charles Messier and added to his catalog in 1779, along with other objects intended to aid comet hunting.

In terms of morphology, M58 is described as a barred spiral galaxy with a prominent central bar and spiral arms that are moderately wound. Observations indicate ongoing star formation in its arms and dust lanes crossing the inner regions, contributing to a complex internal structure. As part of the Virgo Cluster, M58 exists in a relatively dense environment where gravitational interactions and the intracluster medium can influence gas content and galactic evolution.

Observationally, M58 is typically studied with professional telescopes due to its distance and surface brightness, though it can be included in larger surveys of the Virgo Cluster and in targeted imaging campaigns to examine its bar dynamics and star-forming regions. Its properties contribute to broader understandings of barred spirals and the effects of cluster environments on galaxy morphology and evolution.