M95

Messier 95 (M95) is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Leo. It is also known as NGC 3351 and is a prominent member of the Leo I Group, a small cluster of galaxies that includes M96 and M105. M95 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 and subsequently included in Charles Messier’s catalog of deep-sky objects.

Distance estimates place M95 at roughly 9 to 12 megaparsecs from the Sun, corresponding to about 30 to 40 million light-years. Its position in Leo makes it accessible to observers with modest-sized telescopes under good conditions, aiding amateur and professional studies alike.

Morphology and structure show that M95 is a barred spiral galaxy with a bright inner region and a ring-like structure surrounding the bar. The spiral arms are moderately well defined and host active star-forming regions, particularly along the inner ring and within the arms. This star formation contributes to localized emission in various wavelengths, including optical and infrared observations.

In multiwavelength studies, M95 provides insights into bar-driven dynamics and the distribution of gas and young stars in nearby spiral galaxies. Its relatively close distance and favorable orientation offer a useful laboratory for examining the interplay between galactic bars, inner rings, and star formation in disk galaxies.