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Credit & Copyright: Daniel Adibi
Explanation:
Galaxies of the Virgo Cluster
are scattered across this nearly 4 degree wide
telescopic field of view.
About 50 million light-years distant, the
Virgo Cluster
is the closest large galaxy cluster to our own local galaxy group.
Prominent here are Virgo's bright elliptical galaxies from the
Messier
catalog,
M87 at bottom left, and M86 and M84 near center right.
M86 and M84 are recognized as part of
Markarian's Chain,
the visually striking line-up of galaxies on the
that runs through the upper portion of this frame.
Near the middle of the chain lies an intriguing interacting pair of
galaxies, NGC 4438 and NGC 4435,
known to some as Markarian's Eyes.
Still,
giant elliptical galaxy M87
dominates the Virgo cluster.
It's the home of a super massive black hole,
the first black hole ever imaged by planet Earth's
Event Horizon
Telescope.
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Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Virgo Cluster
Publications with words: Virgo Cluster
See also: