Messier 49 is a giant elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is approximately 58 million light-years away from Earth and is one of the brightest galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. Messier 49 has an apparent magnitude of about 8.4, making it visible through small telescopes. This galaxy is notable for its large size and mass, containing a significant number of stars, estimated to be around 200 billion. Messier 49 also exhibits a high concentration of globular clusters, which are tightly bound groups of stars. Its study helps astronomers understand galaxy formation and evolution.