Infrared Processing and Analysis Center/California Institute of Technology, funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation."Messier 83Spiral Galaxy M83 (NGC 5236), type SABc, in HydraSouthern PinwheelRight Ascension13 : 37.0 (h:m)Declination-29 : 52 (deg:m)Distance15000 (kly)Visual Brightness7.6 (mag) Apparent Dimension11x10 (arc min)Discovered 1752 by Abbe Nicholas Louis de la Caille.Messier 83 (M83, NGC 5236) is one of the most conspicuous spiral galaxies in the sky. Situated in constellation Hydra, it is the southernmost galaxy in Messier's catalog.M83 was discovered by Abbe Nicholas Louis de la Caille at the Cape of Good Hope on February 23, 1752; it was his object Lacaille I.6. Thus it became the first galaxy to be discovered beyond the Local Group, and the third of all galaixes, after M31 and M32. It was next cataloged by Charles Messier on February 17, 1781; from his mid-northern location in Paris (at 49 degrees Northern latitude), it is such a difficult object that he stated that: "One is only able with the greatest concentration to see it at all." The present author can confirm it is one of the most difficult Messier objects from South Germany. Due to this fact, older Northern-compiled catalogs tended to underestimate its brightness considerably; e.g., Becvar has it at a mere 10.1 mag only.Early 19th century Australian observer James Dunlop has it as No. 628 in his catalog. Its spiral structure was noted and sketched by William Lassell who described it as a "three-branched spiral."................................LEIA MAISemhttp://messier.obspm.fr/m/m083.htmlhttp://www.stellarium.org/pt/NGC 5236 - M 83 - Galaxia HydraAscensao Reta 13h36 Declinacao - 29o.46Tipo S - Galaxia Espiral Magnitude fotografica aparente 7,00Dimensoes Angulares 13 X 12 Distancia (milhoes de anos-luz) 8,0M 83 - NGC 5236 - Galaxia Espiral BarradaUma das mais brilhantes e mais belas galaxias do ceu do sul. Seus bracos em espiral elegantemente curvados criam a impressao de um movimento dinamico e giratorio em nuvens de estrelas que circundam o centro dessa ilha no universo.A coloracao alaranjada da barra e da regiao central indicam a predominancia de estrelas antigas, esfriadas e ainda estrelas avermelhadas. Em seus bracos espiralados, a cor predominante e o azul das estrelas jovens, quentes e muito massivas que foram formadas recentemente e que estao realizando uma evolucao rapida. Nuvens imensas de hidrogenio interestelar ionizado brilham do vermelho ao rosa. Existem bercos de novas estrelas que nascem aqui em grande numero.6a. Edicao do Atlas Celestede autoria de Ronaldo Rogerio de Freitas Mourao,Editora Vozes, Petropolis, ano de 1986http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_83#mediaviewer/File:Hubble_view_of_barred_spiral_galaxy_Messier_83.jpgHubble view of barred spiral galaxy Messier 83NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) Acknowledgement: William Blair (Johns Hopkins University) - http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic1403a/This new Hubble image shows the scatterings of bright stars and thick dust that make up spiral galaxy Messier 83, otherwise known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy. One of the largest and closest barred spirals to us, this galaxy is dramatic and mysterious; it has hosted a large number of supernova explosions, and appears to have a double nucleus lurking at its core.Messier 83 (also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, M83 or NGC 5236) is a barred spiral galaxy[7] approximately 15 million light-years away in