Today, Messier 95 is a topic that has captured the attention of millions of people around the world. With its impact on society, economy and culture, Messier 95 is a phenomenon that deserves to be analyzed and understood in depth. Throughout history, Messier 95 has played a crucial role in the evolution of humanity, influencing decision-making, the way we relate to each other, and the way we see the world around us. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to Messier 95, from its origin to its influence in the present, including its future potential. Through this analysis, we hope to shed light on a topic that continues to have a significant impact on our lives.
The galaxy has a morphological classification of SB(r)b,[1] with the SBb notation indicating it is a barred spiral with arms that are intermediate on the scale from tightly to loosely wound, and an "(r)" meaning an inner ring surrounds the bar.[4] The latter is a ring-shaped, circumnuclear star-forming region with a diameter of approximately 70,000 light-years (21,000 pc).[5] The spiral structure extends outward from the ring.[4]
Its ring structure is about 3.5×108M☉ (solar masses) in molecular gas and yields a star formation rate of 0.38 M☉ yr−1.[a] The star formation is occurring in at least five regions with diameters between 100 and 150 pc that are composed of several star clusters ranging in size from 1.7 to 4.9 pc. These individual clusters contain (1.8–8.7)×106M☉[b] of stars, and may be on the path to forming globular clusters.[6]
A Type II supernova, designated as SN 2012aw, was discovered in M95 in 2012.[c][7][8][9] The light curve of this displayed great flattening after 27 days, thus classifying it as a Type II-P, or "plateau", core-collapse supernova.[10] The disappearance of the progenitor star was later confirmed from near-infrared imaging of the region. The brightness from the presumed red supergiant progenitor allowed its mass to be estimated as 12.5±1.5 M☉.[11]