Subj : Daily APOD Report
To   : All
From : Alan Ianson
Date : Thu Apr 17 2025 00:07:38

                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2025 April 17

                           Virgo Cluster Galaxies
                   Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel Adibi

   Explanation: Galaxies of the Virgo Cluster are scattered across this
   nearly 4 degree wide telescopic field of view. About 50 million
   light-years distant, the Virgo Cluster is the closest large galaxy
   cluster to our own local galaxy group. Prominent here are Virgo's
   bright elliptical galaxies from the Messier catalog, M87 at bottom
   left, and M86 and M84 near center right. M86 and M84 are recognized as
   part of Markarian's Chain, the visually striking line-up of galaxies on
   the that runs through the upper portion of this frame. Near the middle
   of the chain lies an intriguing interacting pair of galaxies, NGC 4438
   and NGC 4435, known to some as Markarian's Eyes. Still, giant
   elliptical galaxy M87 dominates the Virgo cluster. It's the home of a
   super massive black hole, the first black hole ever imaged by planet
   Earth's Event Horizon Telescope.

                Tomorrow's picture: comet in northern spring
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
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