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> The Sombrero galaxy (M104) in Virgo

The Sombrero galaxy (M104) in Virgo

author: ESO/Novapix

reference: a-gax45-94002

Image Size 300 DPI: 17 * 17 cm

The light from this remarkable spiral system is dominated by the billions of old, faint stars that form the vast 'bulge' around its tiny hidden nucleus. Most spirals, including the Milky Way, have clouds of old, faint stars around their nuclei, but in M104 the galaxy's light is dominated by them. This effect is enhanced because disk of the galaxy is seen nearly edge-on and dust in its outer parts is in silhouette as it crosses the picture. The galaxy is about 28 million light years distant. This image was obtained with FORS1 instrument on ANTU telescope at Paranal observatory on January 30 2000.

Keywords for this photo:

2000 - ANTU - ASTRONOMY - EDGE-ON - FORS1 - GALAXY - M104 - NGC 4594 - Sa - Sb - SOMBRERO - SPIRAL GALAXY - STAR - VERY LARGE TELESCOPE - VIRGO - VLT -