Messier 108 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 or 1782. From the perspective of the Earth, this galaxy is seen almost edge-on. This galaxy is an isolated member of the Ursa Major Cluster of galaxies in the Virgo supercluster.
Distance to Earth: 45.99 million light years
Apparent mass: ~125 billion M☉
Age: 13.27 billion years
Stars: 400 billion
Apparent size (V): 8′.7 × 2′.2
Did you know: M108 was finally included in the Messier Catalogue by the American astronomer Owen Gingerich in 1953.