Messier 106 (M106), also known as NGC 4258, is a Seyfert spiral galaxy located about 24 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. This galaxy is notable for its bright nucleus and active galactic core, which houses a supermassive black hole. M106 exhibits prominent spiral arms that are rich in star-forming regions and interspersed with dark dust lanes. Its bright core and extended emission make it a popular target for both amateur and professional astronomers.

One of the most intriguing features of M106 is its anomalous spiral arms, which are visible in radio and X-ray wavelengths but not in optical light. These arms are thought to be jets of high-energy particles ejected from the galaxy's central black hole, interacting with the surrounding interstellar medium. M106 also has a notable water vapor megamaser, which has been used to make precise measurements of the galaxy's distance. This unique combination of features makes M106 an excellent subject for studying the dynamics of active galactic nuclei and the processes governing star formation.