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Elliptical Galaxy M87

(Redirected from NGC 4486)
Observation data
TypeE1
Right ascension (RA, α) 12 h 30.8 m (J2000,00)
Declination (Dec, δ) +12° 24' (J2000,00)
Distance from Earth 60 millions LY
(18.4 Mpc)
Apparent magnitude (V)  +8.6m
Apparent dimension(s) (V)  7.0'
Physical characteristics
Mass (Sun=1) > 1.0 × 1012
Diameter 120,000 light years
Absolute magnitude -22m
Peculiarities

-Radio emission
-jet from galaxy core
-huge (13,000)
globular cluster system

Other denominations

NGC 4486
Virgo A radio source
Arp 152

Elliptical Galaxy M87 (also known as the Virgo A Galaxy, Virgo A, Messier Object 87, Messier 87, M87, or NGC 4486) is a giant elliptical galaxy dominating the Virgo cluster. It is one of the biggest known galaxies. Its relative closeness makes it a preferred target for studying the high-energy activities currently going on in its nucleus, suspected of holding a supermassive black hole. Astronomers believe that the black hole in this galaxy is approximately of 3×109 solar masses.


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External link

Last updated: 06-03-2005 05:01:43
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