The Virgo Cluster of Galaxies
Explanation:
Pictured are several galaxies of the Virgo Cluster,
the closest
cluster of galaxies to our
Milky Way Galaxy.
The
Virgo Cluster spans more than 5 degrees on the sky -
about 10 times the angle made by a
full Moon.
It contains over 100 galaxies of many types - including
spirals,
ellipticals, and
irregular
galaxies.
The
Virgo Cluster is so massive that it is noticeably
pulling our Galaxy toward it.
The cluster contains not only galaxies filled with stars but also
gas so hot it glows in
X-rays.
Motions of galaxies in and around clusters indicate
that they contain more
dark matter than any visible matter we can see.
Notable bright galaxies in the Virgo Cluster include
bright Messier objects such as
M61,
M87,
M90, and
M100.
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.
