Latest news with #Messier104
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope marks 35 years with a captivating new view of the Sombrero Galaxy's hat-like structure
Source: NASA The Hubble Space Telescope has released a breathtaking new view of the iconic Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104) to mark its 35th anniversary. This stunning picture unveils subtle details of the galaxy's architecture, presenting a new angle on one of the universe's most recognised galaxies. This latest release marks decades of space discovery and our growing understanding of this mysterious cosmic marvel. The sophisticated nuances of the image emphasise the galaxy's unique shape, such as its shining central bulge and dusty disc surrounding it, providing scholars and hobbyists with a more vivid glimpse of this celestial monument. NASA's Hubble turns 35 with a stunning hat-like structure image of the Sombrero Galaxy According to NASA, 30 million light-years away in the Virgo constellation, the Sombrero Galaxy is one of the most stunning galaxies to be seen from Earth. Its resemblance is instantaneous—a brilliant bulge in the center surrounded by a defined dusty disc, evoking the image of a Mexican sombrero hat. That distinctive look is what has made it aptly known as the "Sombrero Galaxy." The central bulge of the galaxy is densely packed with stars, and the disk is crowded with faint dust lanes, which give the striking shape. The image of the Sombrero Galaxy has fascinated astronomers and stargazers for decades with its breathtaking beauty. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Health Insurance Plans for Seniors in the Philippines (2024): Affordable & Reliable Visionary Echo Search Now Undo Hubble's new image unveils richer details of the Sombrero Galaxy This new Hubble photo of the Sombrero Galaxy showcases the advanced processing techniques that bring out more detailed information not apparent in earlier observations. Employing these techniques, astronomers were able to expose not only the galaxy's disc but also distant background stars and other faraway galaxies. The final product is a much richer and more detailed image of the Sombrero Galaxy than ever before. Since the galaxy is larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's finite field of view, the new image is actually a mosaic, sewn together from several observations. That way, scientists can digest the whole scale of the structure of the galaxy at high resolution, something they can't do with one image. Sombrero Galaxy's tilt reveals stunning dust lanes and central bulge The Sombrero Galaxy is only six degrees tilted from its equator, providing us with an almost edge-on perspective from Earth as per NASA reports. The tilt provides a breathtaking shape, with fine clumps and streams of dust set against the galaxy's white shining core. This eyepiece sight is similar to that of Saturn's ring but much, much larger in proportion and galaxy size. The bright central bulge and dust lanes produce an extremely sharp contrast which has rendered the galaxy a top choice for both amateur and professional astronomers. The nearly edge-on perspective is something that happens very rarely and enables one to glimpse the intricate structure of a galaxy. It has been of great fascination to astronomers over the past few decades because it provides insight into how galaxies change over a period of millions of years. Sombrero Galaxy's calm star formation despite a massive black hole The Sombrero Galaxy has a supermassive black hole at its centre weighing approximately nine billion solar masses, greater than 2,000 times as massive as the central Milky Way's black hole. But the galaxy is surprisingly calm with regard to star birth. It produces less than one solar mass of new stars per year, a relatively modest number compared to other galaxies of its size. This quiet star formation lends mystery to the galaxy. Although it shows signs of spiral and elliptical galaxies, it does not have the robust star formation that would be found in a galaxy as large and dense as this one. This slow rate of new star formation has left researchers perplexed, who continue watching the unusual behaviour of the galaxy. Sombrero Galaxy Apart from Hubble observations, the Sombrero Galaxy has also been thoroughly investigated by other space telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope. At the end of 2024, Webb offered further infrared observations, which offered further insights into the structure and activity of the galaxy. Such discoveries will enable astronomers to further understand how galaxies such as the Sombrero develop, age, and behave over their lifespan. Webb's infrared is especially good at seeing dust and gas that is not necessarily brought into visible light. Combining data from Webb and Hubble, astronomers can learn more about the Sombrero Galaxy. Also Read | Bengaluru to witness 'Zero Shadow Day' on April 24 — here's the science behind the phenomenon
India Today
23-04-2025
- Science
- India Today
Mexican hat in space: Hubble captures stunning picture of Sombrero galaxy
The Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled a stunning new image of the iconic Sombrero Galaxy a.k.a Messier 104 as part of its 35th anniversary about 30 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo, the Sombrero Galaxy is instantly recognizable for its bright central bulge and sharply defined dusty disc, which together resemble the rounded crown and broad brim of a Mexican sombrero latest image employs advanced processing techniques that reveal finer details in the galaxy's disc, as well as additional background stars and distant galaxies, offering a richer and more intricate view than previous releases. This unique vantage point has made the Sombrero a favourite target for both professional and amateur astronomers. (Photo: Nasa) The image is actually a mosaic stitched from multiple Hubble observations, since the galaxy's size exceeds Hubble's narrow field of nearly edge-on—tilted just six degrees from its equator—the Sombrero Galaxy displays complex clumps and strands of dust set against its brilliant white nucleus, creating a visual effect reminiscent of Saturn and its rings but on a galactic unique vantage point has made the Sombrero a favorite target for both professional and amateur its dense population of stars and a supermassive black hole weighing about nine billion solar masses—more than 2,000 times the mass of the Milky Way's central black hole—the galaxy is surprisingly quiet, converting less than one solar mass of gas into new stars each year. This latest image employs advanced processing techniques. (Photo: Nasa) This subdued star formation adds to the galaxy's enigmatic nature, as it exhibits features of both spiral and elliptical Sombrero Galaxy has been extensively studied over the past two decades, including by the James Webb Space Telescope in late 2024, which provided complementary infrared new Hubble image not only celebrates decades of space exploration but also deepens scientists' understanding of this majestic and mysterious galactic Reel
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Hubble telescope provides fresh look at stunning ‘Sombrero Galaxy'
As the Hubble Space Telescope approaches 35 years since its launch, marking over three decades of incredible images of the universe and science, Nasa and its partner, the European Space Agency, are revisiting some of the spacecraft's most striking first installment in the 35th anniversary series is the famous Messier 104 galaxy, also known as the Sombrero Galaxy. This time around, using new processing techniques, the galaxy is revealed in greater detail with more background stars and galaxies. The Sombrero Galaxy is about 30 million light-years away within the constellation Virgo. Its most recognizable feature is its Mexican hat-like shape, hence the Sombrero nickname. But this galaxy is no hat hanging on a wall. The sharp line of the brim is created as one solar mass of gas is converted into stars, making the looping, dusty disk. According to NASA, the galaxy's central supermassive black hole is 2,000 times more massive than the Milky Way's at nine billion solar masses. The Best Evidence For Life Outside Our Solar System Just Got Stronger NASA's other powerful space telescopes, including the retired Spitzer Space Telescope and its new James Webb Space Telescope in 2024, have studied the Sombrero Galaxy. Each uses different imaging techniques to capture the galactic wonder in a new light. NASA and the ESA will continue to release more images this year to celebrate Hubble's 35th anniversary. The telescope, sometimes called "The People's Telescope," launched on April 24, article source: Hubble telescope provides fresh look at stunning 'Sombrero Galaxy'
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Hubble Revisits Magnificent Sombrero Galaxy in Stunning New Image
One of the most spectacular galaxies in Earth's sky is the subject of a new image release to help celebrate 35 years of Hubble operations. The Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104), located some 31 million light-years away in the direction of the constellation Virgo, is a strange galaxy, oriented in such a way that it appears even stranger – like a disk in the sky with a glowing center. It's what is known as a peculiar galaxy – one that has characteristics of both a highly structured spiral galaxy, and a more diffuse elliptical galaxy, thus fitting into neither category, but hanging about somewhere in between. What makes it stand out from other galaxies is a large series of thick dust lanes in its galactic plane and around its outer perimeter that seem to give it a border, like the brim of a very fancy hat. The galaxy was first observed by Hubble in 2003, and since then, that image has become one of the telescope's most beloved shots. It's that image that has now been reprocessed with new techniques, revealing more intricate details within the galaxy itself, and more stars faintly speckling the background. Although the Sombrero Galaxy is very bright and full of stars, it is not particularly active in star formation, producing maybe one Sun's worth of new stars per year. It's a little bigger than the Milky Way, and a little hard to study because of its nearly edge-on orientation and extremely bright center. JWST observations in the mid-infrared show prominent clumpy dust around the outer edge, and a bright center with an active supermassive black hole, which clocks in at a mass of around 9 billion Suns. The dust lanes around the galaxy's outer reaches are part of its spiral structure. The brightly glowing bulge in the center is more consistent with an elliptical galaxy. Whatever it is, its unique appearance makes it a favorite for both professional and amateur astronomers alike, and a true joy to behold. You can download wallpaper-sized versions of the new image on the ESA Hubble website. Hailstorms on Jupiter Pelt Giant Slushee Balls of Ammonia And Water Half The Universe's Matter Was Missing. Astronomers Just Found It. Curiosity Finds First In Situ Evidence of Carbon Cycle on Ancient Mars
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Iconic Sombrero Galaxy shines in reprocessed Hubble Telescope view (image)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. NASA just unveiled a new image of the iconic Sombrero Galaxy, showcasing intricate details of its vivid structure that resembles the broad-brimmed Mexican hat. Located approximately 30 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Virgo, the Sombrero Galaxy, also known as Messier 104, is viewed nearly edge-on by the Hubble Space Telescope. New image processing techniques revealed the galaxy's bright central bulge and the vast, dusty disk that encircles it in unprecedented detail. These features give the appearance of a rounded crown and broad brim of a sombrero, for which the galaxy is named, according to a statement from NASA. "One of the things that makes this galaxy especially notable is its viewing angle, which is inclined just six degrees off of the galaxy's equator," NASA officials said in the April 16 statement. "From this vantage point, intricate clumps and strands of dust stand out against the brilliant white galactic nucleus and bulge, creating an effect not unlike Saturn and its rings — but on an epic galactic scale." Given the extreme angle at which it is viewed, astronomers are unsure if the Sombrero is a spiral galaxy or an elliptical galaxy. While it is packed with stars and hosts a supermassive black hole — which at nine billion solar masses is more than 2,000 times more massive than the Milky Way's central black hole — it is considered a calm galaxy. — Hubble Space Telescope: Pictures, facts & history — Spiral starburst galaxy glows in gorgeous Hubble Telescope image — Hubble Telescope discovers a new '3-body problem' puzzle among Kuiper Belt asteroids (video) Astronomers estimate that less than one solar mass of gas is converted into stars each year in the Sombrero, suggesting the galaxy is not actively feeding on interstellar material and therefore isn't undergoing intense star formation. Using the new image, astronomers are able to study metal-rich stars in the galaxy's halo, which indicate it may have merged with a massive galaxy billions of years ago, creating the distinct Sombrero shape observed today. Astronomers are applying new image-processing techniques to previously released Hubble observations like this Sombrero Galaxy image in honor of the space telescope's upcoming 35th anniversary.
