M77 | NGC 1068 | Spiral Galaxy | Cetus | 47,000,000 Light Years Away
Messier 77 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Cetus, and it was discovered by the French astronomer Pierre Méchain in 1780. Charles Messier cataloged it later that year, solidifying its designation as Messier 77. Positioned approximately 47 million light-years away from Earth, this galaxy is notable for its well-defined bar structure across its central region.
With a diameter of about 170,000 light-years, Messier 77 features spiral arms that extend from the ends of the central bar, giving it a distinct appearance. The bar in the galaxy’s center is thought to play a crucial role in shaping the structure and influencing star formation. Observations of Messier 77 contribute to our understanding of barred spiral galaxies and the mechanisms governing their evolution.
Messier 77 is an active galaxy, hosting a supermassive black hole at its center. The presence of an active galactic nucleus indicates ongoing accretion of material onto the central black hole, leading to the emission of intense radiation. Studying galaxies like Messier 77 provides astronomers with insights into the complex processes occurring within galactic nuclei and the interactions between supermassive black holes and their surrounding environments.