Messier 96 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Leo. It is approximately 35 million light-years away from Earth and is part of the Messier catalog, which lists astronomical objects that were observed by the French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century. This galaxy has a diameter of about 100,000 light-years and is classified as a type SA(rs)bc galaxy, indicating its spiral structure with a prominent central bulge. Messier 96 is also a member of the Leo I Group, a collection of galaxies that interact gravitationally with one another.