Messier 49 is a giant elliptical galaxy located in Virgo. Part of the Virgo B sub cluster of the Virgo super cluster, it was the first member of the cluster identified. The galaxy stretches across 157,000 light years and contains over 200 billion stars. It also has some 5,900 globular clusters. Having no signs of large scale star formation, it mostly consists of older yellow and red stars giving it a pale yellowish color. It is currently interacting with dwarf irregular galaxy UGC 7636.
Discovered by Charles Messier in 1777.
