As an elliptical galaxy, Messier 49 has the physical form of aradio galaxy, but it only has the radio emission of a normal galaxy. From the detected radio emission, the core region has roughly 1053 erg (1046J or 1022 YJ) of synchrotron energy.[3] Thenucleus of this galaxy is emitting X-rays, suggesting the likely presence of asupermassive black hole with an estimated mass of5.65 × 108solar masses, or 565 million times the mass of theSun (M☉).[4][b] X-ray emissions shows a structure to the north of Messier 49 that resembles abow shock. To the southwest of the core, the luminous outline of the galaxy can be traced out to a distance of 260 kpc.[5]
This galaxy has manyglobular clusters: estimated to be about 5,900. This is far more than the roughly 200 orbiting theMilky Way, but dwarfed by the 13,450 orbiting the supergiant elliptical galaxyMessier 87. On average, the globular clusters of M49 are about 10 billion years old.[6] Between 2000 and 2009, strong evidence for astellar mass black hole was discovered in one. A second candidate was announced in 2011.[7]
Messier 49 was the first member of theVirgo Cluster of galaxies to be discovered.[8] It is the most luminous member of that cluster and more luminous than any galaxy closer to theEarth. This galaxy forms part of the smallerVirgo Bsubcluster 4.5° away from the dynamic center of the Virgo Cluster, centered onMessier 87.[6][9] Messier 49 is gravitationally interacting with thedwarfirregular galaxyUGC 7636.[5] The dwarf shows a trail of debris spanning roughly 1 × 5 arcminutes, which corresponds to a physical dimension of6 × 30 kpc.[10]
Onesupernova has been observed in M49: SN 1969Q (type unknown, mag. 13) was discovered by Evans on 12 June 1969.[11][12][13][14] [Note: some sources incorrectly report the discovery date as 1 June 1969.]
^McNamara, Brian R.; et al. (September 1994), "A violent interaction between the dwarf galaxy UGC 7636 and the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 4472",The Astronomical Journal,108 (3):844–850,Bibcode:1994AJ....108..844M,doi:10.1086/117116.
^Marsden, Brian G. (June 13, 1969)."Circular No. 2153".Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams. Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. RetrievedDecember 2, 2024.
^"SN1969Q".Transient Name Server.IAU. RetrievedDecember 2, 2024.
