The energetic jet in Messier 87

Messier 87 (NGC 4486) is a giant elliptical galaxy that harbours an active nucleus in its centre. The central black hole is fed by a small gas disk, and it powers a highly collimated, energetic jet that penetrates the inner part of the galaxy.

As a typical elliptical galaxy, it primarily contains old, fairly cold stars - they cause the reddish colour of the galaxy in this colour image. The powerful jet, however, is extremely energetic and emits much of its energy in the blue and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. The jet, therefore, appears bright blue in comparison.

This image is a colour composite of three images taken in ultraviolet, blue, and visible light (U, B and V filtres) during the night of May 25 - 26, 1998. In reality, the bright blue colour of the jet corresponds to ultraviolet radiation.

The atmospheric conditions were less than optimal during this exposure.

Crédit:

ESO

À propos de l'image

Identification:eso9820g
Type:Observation
Date de publication:27 mai 1998
Communiqués de presse en rapport:eso9820
Taille:1659 x 1083 px

À propos de l'objet

Nom:Messier 87, NGC 4485
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Elliptical
Distance:30 million années lumière
Catégorie:Galaxies

Formats des images

Grand JPEG
676,2 Kio
JPEG taille écran
229,2 Kio

Fonds d'écran

1024x768
393,1 Kio
1280x1024
580,8 Kio
1600x1200
760,8 Kio
1920x1200
857,1 Kio
2048x1536
1,0 Mio

Couleurs & filtres

DomaineTélescope
Visible
V
Very Large Telescope
Visible
B
Very Large Telescope
Ultraviolet
U
Very Large Telescope