Active galactic nucleus of Messier 77 galaxy, illustration

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Illustration showing the active galactic nucleus of Messier 77 spiral galaxy. The central region of Messier 77 has a black hole surrounded by a thin accretion disc. Astronomers have discovered that the accretion disc is itself surrounded by a ring of gas and dust that obscures the view of the black hole. Messier 77's active galactic nucleus also has jets (blue), that come out perpendicular to the region of the black hole.

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Size: 5047px × 3470px
Location:
Photo credit: © EUROPEAN SOUTHERN OBSERVATORY/M. Kornmesser and L. Calçada/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, 77, 1068, 10266, accretion, active, artwork, astronomical, astronomy, barred, cetus, disc, disk, galactic, galaxy, illustration, jets, leda, messier, ngc, nuclei, prototype, spiral, spiralling, squid