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Mayall II

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andromeda's cluster

Mayall II is a globular cluster orbiting the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31). Also known as Andromeda’s Cluster and Globular One (G1), it is the most… Read More »Mayall II

First Image of a Black Hole Captured in M87

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m87 black hole,supermassive black hole,first image of a black hole

The historic first image of a black hole was released by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration on April 10, 2019. An international team of scientists used observations with the Event Horizon Telescope, a worldwide network of eight ground-based radio telescopes, to capture an image of the supermassive black hole at the heart of the supergiant elliptical galaxy Messier 87 (Virgo A).
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Virgo Cluster

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virgo cluster of galaxies,virgo galaxy cluster,virgo-coma cluster

The Virgo Cluster is the closest large cluster of galaxies to the Milky Way. With over a thousand known members, the cluster spans an area of the sky about 5 by 3 degrees in size. While some of the most prominent members can be seen in smaller instruments, a 6-inch telescope will reveal about 160 galaxies in this region on a clear night.
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Markarian’s Chain

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markarian's chain, markarian's galaxy chain

Messier galaxies M84 and M86 are part of Markarian’s Chain, a striking stretch of galaxies that lie along a curved line near the heart of the Virgo Cluster. The string of galaxies – which also includes NGC 4477, NGC 4473, NGC 4461, NGC 4458, NGC 4438 and NGC 4435 – occupies more than a full degree on the border between Virgo and Coma Berenices and can be seen in an 8-inch reflector on a clear, dark night.
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Messier 109

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m109,m109 galaxy,ngc 3992

Messier 109 (M109) is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. The galaxy lies at a distance of 83.5 million light years and has an apparent magnitude of 10.6. It has the designation NGC 3992 in the New General Catalogue.
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