Giant elliptical galaxy M87 in the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies, as photographed with the Kitt Peak National Observatory's 4-meter Mayall telescope in 1975. Over 500 globular clusters have been detected in visible light and many are visible here (looking like fuzzy stars near the galaxy).
M87 seen in its environment of dwarf galaxies and surrounded by its globular cluster system is seen in the bigger image. The small insert shows the contrast-enhanced nuclear region with the notable jet.
Credit for both images above: AURA/NOAO/NSF
In this grogeous image from an anonymous source, M87 can be seen with its globular cluster system (large image). The smaller inset shows a short exposure of the same galaxy, exhibiting the famous jet.
Last Modification: July 2, 1998