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 |
Wallpapers
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 |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Optical b | 440 nm | Very Large Telescope FORS2 |
| Optical v | 557 nm | Very Large Telescope FORS2 |
| Optical R | 655 nm | Very Large Telescope FORS2 |
| Optical H-alpha | 656 nm | Very Large Telescope FORS2 |