images

M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo

by

R.Gendler/Novapix

Reference

a-gax44-86005

Date

2007-01-22

NGC 4486 (M87) is the largest and brightest elliptical galaxy within the northern Virgo Cluster at about 52 million light years from Earth. The galaxy also called Virgo A contains a notable active galactic nucleus that is a strong source of multiwavelength radiation, particularly radio waves. In 1918 astronomer Heber Curtis discovered a jet of matter coming from M87 which extends at least 5000 light-years from the nucleus of M87 and is made up of matter ejected from the galaxy, most likely by a supermassive black hole.