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. This galaxy has an apparent magnitude of 7.6, making it visible through small telescopes. Messier 83 is also home to numerous star-forming regions and has been studied extensively for its active star formation, which contributes to its vibrant appearance in the night sky.