archive / atlas record
Messier 87
A giant galaxy with a relativistic jet and famous central black hole.
- classification
- Giant elliptical galaxy
- system
- Virgo Cluster
Messier 87 dominates part of the Virgo Cluster. Its central black hole was the first whose shadow was imaged by the Event Horizon Telescope.
- Class
- Giant elliptical galaxy
- Location / system
- Virgo Cluster
- Distance
- About 54 million light-years from Earth
Only values with an established scientific consensus are listed. Where a quantity is uncertain or model-dependent, it is discussed in the sections below rather than stated as data.
Overview (starter entry, expanded review pending)
Messier 87 dominates part of the Virgo Cluster. Its central black hole was the first whose shadow was imaged by the Event Horizon Telescope.
Imaging, redshift and distance indicators
Messier 87's morphology is mapped across wavelengths; spectra establish motion and composition, while distance estimates use calibrated indicators appropriate to its range.
- What remains least constrained about Messier 87?Composition, internal structure, formation history or local environment can require different observations and may remain model-dependent.
Items above are unresolved. Hypotheses are labelled as such and are not presented as confirmed findings.
NASA/IPAC // verified 28 September 2026
CDS Strasbourg // verified 28 September 2026