The galaxy M77 is one of the finest examples of a classic spiral galaxy
The galaxy M77 is one of the finest examples of a classic
spiral galaxy. Its main luminous area is about 120,000 light-years across.
This picture was taken Saturday by amateur stargazers Francois and Shelley
Pelletier, guided by an astronomer at a nightly observing program at the Kitt
Peak National Observatory in Arizona. The program is designed to introduce amateurs
to the art and science of astronomy and astrophotography.
M77 is about 60 million light-years from
the Milky Way Galaxy and heading away. Overall, the galaxy is thought to contain
a mass equal to about 1 trillion Suns. [About
the Kitt Peak Program]
Credit: Francois
and Shelley Pelletier/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF
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