http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0002/sombrero_vlt_big.jpg

The Sombrero Galaxy from VLT
Credit: Peter Barthel (Kapteyn Inst.) et al., FORS1, VLT ANTU, ESO
Why does the Sombrero Galaxy look like a hat? Reasons include the Sombrero's unusually large and extended central bulge of stars, and dark prominent dust lanes that appear in a disk that we see nearly edge-on. Billions of old stars cause the diffuse glow of the extended central bulge. Close inspection of the bulge in the above photograph shows many points of light that are actually globular clusters. M104's spectacular dust rings harbor many younger and brighter stars, and show intricate details astronomers don't yet fully understand. The very center of the Sombrero glows across the electromagnetic spectrum, and is thought to house a large black hole. Fifty million-year-old light from the Sombrero Galaxy can be seen with a small telescope towards the constellation of Virgo.

Fifty million-year-old light from the Sombrero Galaxy can be seen with a small telescope towards the constellation of Virgo

when you say small, how small do you mean?

I have a 4 and a half inch reflector... too small?? :)

Most likely itis to small. I think for deep space objects you need at least a 8" but bigger is better.

I like how an 8 inch reflector is considered small :) they are quite large physically.. I wouldn't like to have to lug one around anyway... I would however like to own one :)