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M106 in Canes Venatici

Messier's object 106 was actually discovered by his friend Pierre Méchain in 1781. This beautiful and bright galaxy is about 20 million light years away, and classified as a peculiar "normal" Sb. The arms form a spiral pattern which can be traced well into its core. M106 has a much larger extent in radio radiation than in visual light. In 1995, evidence that it's the home of a massive dark object was detected. The active center emits jets similar to the central "engines" in other active galaxies such as M82. A supernova (1981K) occurred in M106, August 1981 and reached 16th magnitude. Several neighboring galaxies can be seen, most conspicuously NGC 4248 at 3:00 and the tiny face-on just above the 'e' in 'Venatici'. Thanks to Don Waid for identifying it as PGC 2292458.