Hubble Image of the Sombrero Galaxy

Ssc2005-11a2
spitzer_ssc2005-11a2 May 4, 2005

Creator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA

Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1423-ssc2005-11a2-Hubble-Image-of-the-Sombrero-Galaxy

The Hubble Space Telescopes obtained this image of one of the most popular sights in the universe. Messier 104 is commonly known as the Sombrero galaxy because in visible light, it resembles the broad-brimmed Mexican hat. In Hubble's visible light image, only the near rim of dust can be clearly seen in silhouette.

The Sombrero galaxy is located some 28 million light-years away. Viewed from Earth, it is just six degrees south of its equatorial plane.

The Hubble Heritage Team took these observations in May-June 2003 with the space telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys. Images were taken in three filters (red, green, and blue) to yield a natural-color image. The team took six pictures of the galaxy and then stitched them together to create the final composite image. This magnificent galaxy has a diameter that is nearly one-fifth the diameter of the full Moon.

Image Use Policy: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy

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Image Details

Image Type
Observation
Object Name
Sombrero Galaxy Messier 104 M104 NGC 4594
Subject - Local Universe
Galaxy » Type » Elliptical
Galaxy » Type » Lenticular
Galaxy » Component » Ring
Galaxy » Type » Ring

Distance

Universescale2
28,000,000 light years

Position Details

Ssc2005-11a2
Position (ICRS)
RA = 12h 39m 59.5s
DEC = -11° 37’ 22.6”
Orientation
North is 4.6° CCW
Field of View
9.6 x 5.4 arcminutes
Constellation
Virgo

Color Mapping

  Telescope Spectral Band Wavelength
Arrow_left_blue Hubble (ACS) Optical (B-band) 435.0 nm
Arrow_left_green Hubble (ACS) Optical (V-band) 555.0 nm
Arrow_left_red Hubble (ACS) Optical (R-band) 625.0 nm
Spectrum_base
Arrow_top_blue
Arrow_top_green
Arrow_top_red