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Credit & Copyright: Fernando Pena
Explanation:
Galaxies of the Virgo Cluster
are scattered across this deep telescopic field of view.
The cosmic scene spans about three Full Moons, captured in dark skies near
Jalisco, Mexico, planet Earth.
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 the top left, and M84 and M86 seen
(bottom to top) below and right of center.
M84 and M86 are recognized as part of
Markarian's Chain,
a visually striking line-up of galaxies vertically on the
right side 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.
Of course
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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A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Virgo Cluster
Publications with words: Virgo Cluster
See also: