Magnificent space sphere

Magnificent space sphere

The giant star ball (about 100 billion stars) is an elliptical galaxy that is 55 million light years away from Earth. This is Messier 89, which in appearance resembles a sphere. This situation seems unusual for elliptical galaxies, because they are drawn out in shape. But this is only a deception of perspective and orientation relative to the earthly observer.

M89 is inferior in size to the Milky Way, but stands out with a couple of interesting features. One structure of gas and dust is pulled out at 150,000 light years from the galactic center, in which a supermassive black hole lives. Jets of heated particles stretch over 100,000 light years. This hints that the galaxy was more active in the past. Around are located the systems of shells and plumes, caused by past events of mergers with small galaxies. In 1781, M89 was discovered by Charles Messier, who for 23 years compiled a catalog to distinguish space objects from comets. It all started from the day when he took the Crab Nebula for Halley's comet. So that other astronomers do not repeat mistakes, he compiled a directory that reached 110 objects.

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