Is there a black hole in this galaxy?

This is a photo of Arakelian 120, an AGN galaxy which may contain a massive black hole at its centre, cf. ESO Press Release eso8709. The bright nucleus is overexposed and the underlying galaxy is only faintly visible. Most of the other objects in this field are stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso8709a
Type:Observation
Release date:16 June 1987
Related releases:eso8709
Size:1764 x 1311 px

About the Object

Name:Arakelian 120
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Component : Central Black Hole
Distance:450 million light years
Constellation:Orion
Category:Quasars and Black Holes

Image Formats

Large JPEG
713.0 KB
Screensize JPEG
274.4 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):5 16 11.48
Position (Dec):0° 8' 59.25"
Field of view:9.09 x 6.76 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 1.4° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
OpticalESO 1.52-metre telescope