M104: The Sombrero Galaxy
Explanation:
The famous Sombrero galaxy (M104) is a bright nearby
spiral galaxy. The
prominent
dust lane and halo of
stars and
globular clusters give this
galaxy its name. Something
very energetic is going on in the Sombrero's center, as much
X-ray
light has been detected from it. This X-ray emission
coupled with unusually high central stellar velocities cause many
astronomers to speculate that a
black hole
lies at the Sombrero's center - a
black hole a billion times the mass of our
Sun. This image was taken
in blue light by the 0.9 meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
