Posted on 04/17/2025 1:28:08 PM PDT by MtnClimber
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.
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.
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They may look lined up, but they’re probably at vastly varying distances.
A really cool part of the sky.
Well that’s frustrating. All those virgos and they are just too long distance.
But being in the same gravity-bound cluster, they’re probably just as close together distance-wise as well.
Wow.
Sky & Telescope’s monthly constellation centerfold depicted this region in Virgo as the “Realm of Galaxies”. That term evoked a sublime feeling of mystery, wonder, and awe in my early teenage heart.
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