Messier 83, also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, is a barred spiral galaxy located about 15 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra. It is one of the closest spiral galaxies to Earth and is notable for its bright core and well-defined spiral arms, making it a popular target for astronomers. Discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781, Messier 83 is classified as a type Sc spiral galaxy. It contains a significant number of young, hot stars and regions of active star formation, which contribute to its striking appearance. The galaxy is also part of the Messier catalog, a collection of astronomical objects.