Caption: M87 (NGC 4486) in constellation Virgo.

M87 is the giant elliptical galaxy at the center of the Virgo Cluster, the nearest large cluster of galaxies at about 15 Mpc away (FK-593,615).

M87 is about 100 kpc in diameter and since it is rather spherical it has much more stellar matter (i.e., baryonic matter which is NOT baryonic dark matter) than the Milky Way. It probably grew so large by galactic cannibalism.

M87 is surrounded by a rich system of globular clusters which are fairly clear in the image. (FK-615).

For more on M87, see Galaxies file: m87_virgo.html.

Credit/Permission: © NOAO/AURA/NSF, NOAO/AURA / NOAO/AURA Image Library Conditions of Use.
Download site: M87, NGC 4486.
Image link: Itself.
Local file: local link: m87_virgo_old_image.html.
File: Galaxies file: m87_virgo_old_image.html.