messier 87 galaxy
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Messier 87 Galaxy: Type, Location, Discovery

It contains 1 trillion stars and spans 120,000 light-years in diameter. A supermassive black hole resides at its center, weighing 6.5 billion solar masses. It lacks spiral arms and has a rounded appearance. M87 houses over 12,000 globular star clusters, compared to the Milky Way’s 150-200 clusters.

The galaxy is located in the constellation Virgo, 55 million light-years from Earth. Virgo spans 1,294 square degrees in the hemisphere. M87’s position near the equator makes it visible from most parts of the world.

Pierre Méchain observed M87 in 1780, and Charles Messier cataloged it in 1781. Messier included M87 as the 87th entry in his catalog of astronomical objects. Heber Curtis discovered M87’s particle jet in 1918.

M87’s mass is estimated at 2,400 billion solar masses. It is 10 times as massive as the Milky Way and is one of the largest and most massive galaxies in the universe. M87 emits radio energy and is visible across the electromagnetic spectrum. The galaxy features a jet of plasma and radiation extending 5,000 light-years into space.

What is Messier 87 galaxy?

Messier 87 is a supergiant elliptical galaxy in the constellation Virgo. Messier 87 contains trillion stars and spans 120,000 light-years in diameter. Messier 87 emits radio waves from its central region. Messier 87 houses a massive central black hole weighing 6.5 billion solar masses.

The Event Horizon Telescope project captured an image of this black hole in 2019, revealing a bright ring of light around its shadow.

Messier 87 features a jet of plasma and radiation emanating from its central black hole. The jet extends for 5,000 light-years into space at a 20-degree angle to our line of sight. The jet regulates the growth of Messier 87 and influences the surrounding intergalactic medium.

What type of galaxy is the Messier 87 galaxy?

Messier 87 (M87) is classified as an elliptical galaxy. M87 belongs to the E0 category in the Hubble sequence. Elliptical galaxies lack spiral arms and have a rounded appearance. M87 spans 120,000 light-years in diameter and contains 1 trillion stars. Astronomer Heber Curtis discovered M87’s particle jet in 1918.

Messier 87 is characterized by its ellipsoidal shape. It contains a trillion stars, more than the Milky Way’s estimated 200-400 billion stars. Messier 87 has a diameter of 120,000 light-years, making it one of the largest galaxies in the universe.

Messier 87 is home to a population of globular star clusters. Over 12,000 globular clusters have been observed within the galaxy, compared to the Milky Way’s 150-200 clusters.  The black hole has a mass of 6.5 billion solar masses and an event horizon diameter of 12 million kilometers.

Where is the Messier 87 galaxy located?

Messier 87, a supergiant elliptical galaxy, is located in the constellation Virgo. Virgo contains trillion stars and spans 1,294 square degrees in the northern hemisphere. M87 lies 55 million light-years from Earth. Charles Messier discovered Messier 87 in 1781. Astronomers have studied this galaxy in radio, optical, and X-ray wavelengths.

Messier 87 is situated in the constellation Virgo. The galaxy’s position near the equator makes it visible from most parts of the world. Northern Hemisphere observers have a vantage point for observing Messier 87. The galaxy’s proximity to the celestial equator allows astronomers and astrophotographers to target it from locations on Earth, except for high latitudes.

Who discovered the Messier 87 galaxy?

Pierre Méchain observed Messier 87 (M87) in 1780. Charles Messier cataloged M87 in 1781, not discovering it. M87 is an elliptical galaxy 53.5 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Virgo. M87 spans 120,000 light-years and contains a supermassive black hole of 6.5 billion solar masses.

Messier included M87 in his catalog of astronomical objects. The galaxy was listed as the 87th entry, which led to its designation as Messier 87 or M87. Messier’s catalog contained 103 objects in total, with M87 being one of the significant discoveries.

When was the Messier 87 galaxy discovered?

Charles Messier discovered Messier 87 (M87) on March 18, 1781. M87 is a giant elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. Messier’s discovery occurred during a period of significant astronomical advancements. M87 has a diameter of 120,000 light-years and contains a supermassive black hole at its center.

A development in understanding M87 occurred on February 13, 1918. Heber Curtis observed M87 using the Lick Observatory’s 36-inch refracting telescope and identified it as a galaxy. Curtis noted M87’s spiral structure and estimated its distance to be 500,000 light-years, though this estimate was later found to be incorrect.

A milestone in M87’s exploration came on April 10, 2019. The Event Horizon Telescope project released an image of a black hole, located at the center of M87. The image confirmed predictions about black hole physics and revealed a supermassive black hole with a mass of 6.5 billion solar masses.

What are some facts about the Messier 87 galaxy?

The Messier 87 galaxy exists in the Virgo constellation, 55 million light-years from Earth. Charles Messier discovered M87 in 1781. Astronomers identified M87 as an elliptical galaxy with a 120,000 light-year diameter. M87 ranks among the brightest and most massive galaxies in the universe. The Virgo cluster contains M87 as a member.

Some facts about the Messier 87 galaxy are provided below.

  • The Messier 87 galaxy is located about 55 million light-years from Earth.
  • The Messier 87 galaxy is visible in the constellation Virgo.
  • The Messier 87 galaxy was discovered by Charles Messier in 1781.
  • The Messier 87 galaxy contains about a trillion stars.
  • The Messier 87 galaxy is home to 12,000-15,000 globular star clusters.
  • The Messier 87 galaxy has a magnitude of 9.6.
  • The Messier 87 galaxy spans around 240,000 light years in diameter.
  • The mass of the Messier 87 galaxy is estimated at 2,400 billion solar masses.
  • The Messier 87 galaxy is one of the largest and most massive galaxies in the universe.
  • The Messier 87 galaxy is a known powerful source of radio energy in the Virgo cluster.
  • The Messier 87 galaxy emits energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • A supermassive black hole lies at the center of Messier 87 galaxy.
  • The supermassive black hole in the Messier 87 galaxy has a mass of 6.5 billion solar masses.

What is the size of the Messier 87 galaxy?

Messier 87 (M87) has a diameter of 120,000 light-years. M87 is an elliptical galaxy located 53 million light-years from Earth. M87 is 20% larger than the Milky Way. M87’s halo extends 150,000 light-years from its center. M87 contains over 1 trillion stars and has a mass of 6 trillion solar masses.

What is the age of the Messier 87 galaxy?

The Messier 87 galaxy is estimated to be 13 billion years old. Studies based on analysis of stellar populations suggest an age of 13.24 billion years. The age of M87 is determined to be 6.5 billion years, derived from observations of its oldest stars. An evolution scenario for an elliptical galaxy indicates M87’s age is 10 billion years, considering its morphology, stellar population, and position in the Hubble sequence. The maximum possible age of M87 is 13.8 billion years, which corresponds to the age of the universe itself. Scientists have studied M87’s globular clusters and individual stars to refine these age estimates. The age of the Messier 87 galactic system has values ranging from the minimum 6.5 billion years to the maximum 13.8 billion years.


How many stars are in the Messier 87 galaxy?

The Messier 87 galaxy contains 1 to 2 trillion stars. Astronomers estimate this number using Hubble Space Telescope observations. Messier 87 is an enormous elliptical galaxy in the Virgo cluster. Messier 87 spans 120,000 light-years in diameter. Messier 87 ranks among the most massive and star-rich galaxies in the universe.

How far is the Messier 87 galaxy from Earth?

The Messier 87 galaxy is located 55 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Virgo. Astronomer Charles Messier discovered Messier 87 in 1781. Scientists have refined distance estimates over time. Measurements place Messier 87’s distance between 53-57 million light-years. Messier 87 is known as M87.

The distance to the Messier 87 galaxy is expressed as 16.4 million parsecs. One parsec equals 3.26 light-years. Astronomers use redshift observations and brightness measurements to determine the Messier 87 galaxy’s distance. Scientists refine distance estimates as data becomes available.

Can you see the Messier 87 galaxy through the telescope?

The Messier 87 galaxy is visible through telescopes with 60-100 mm apertures. Charles Messier cataloged M87 in 1781. M87 is located 55 million light-years in the Virgo constellation. Viewing occurs in May at 10 PM. M87 has an apparent magnitude of 8.6. Skies and stable atmospheric conditions enhance visibility.

Spring months offer an opportunity for observing M87 in the constellation Virgo. Viewing conditions require dark, clear skies away from light pollution. M87 has an apparent magnitude of 9.6 and a visual magnitude of 8.6, making it visible through telescopes and binoculars under favorable conditions.

M87 appears in modest telescopes. Observers with 8-10 inch aperture telescopes and good quality eyepieces see M87 as a patch in the sky. Astronomers with telescopes have imaged the powerful relativistic jet of plasma and radiation streaming out perpendicular to the galaxy’s disk.

Star-hopping techniques help locate M87 using nearby bright stars as reference points. Star charts or astronomy apps provide coordinates for positioning. Field eyepieces aid in initial location, while higher magnification eyepieces reveal detail. Light pollution filters enhance contrast in less-than-favorable viewing conditions.