Dazzling galaxy Messier 77

ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) has captured a magnificent face-on view of the barred spiral galaxy Messier 77. The image does justice to the galaxy’s beauty, showcasing its glittering arms criss-crossed with dust lanes — but it fails to betray Messier 77’s turbulent nature.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso1720a
Type:Observation
Release date:5 July 2017, 12:00
Related releases:eso2203, eso1720
Size:1718 x 1716 px

About the Object

Name:Messier 77
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Activity : AGN : Seyfert
Distance:45 million light years
Constellation:Cetus
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
693.5 KB
Screensize JPEG
216.7 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x768
192.4 KB
1280x1024
317.4 KB
1600x1200
487.9 KB
1920x1200
522.2 KB
2048x1536
700.0 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):2 42 41.01
Position (Dec):0° 0' 53.97"
Field of view:7.21 x 7.20 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.0° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
b
440 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS2
Optical
v
557 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS2
Optical
R
655 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS2
Optical
H-alpha
656 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS2