Image 6-11
Sombrero Galaxy

This image shows one of the universe's most stately and photogenic galaxies, the Sombrero galaxy. Also known as Messier 104 (M104), the galaxy's hallmark is a brilliant white core surrounded by thick dust lanes. This spiral galaxy is tilted nearly edge-on as seen from Earth. This galaxy was named the Sombrero because of its resemblance to the famous Mexican hat. The Sombrero is located at the southern edge of the rich Virgo cluster of galaxies and is one of the most massive objects in that group. The galaxy is 50,000 light-years across and is located 28 million light-years from Earth.