马卡莱恩星系链

2021年05月22日

Markarian’s Chain
Image Credit & Copyright: Ginge Anvik

Explanation: Near the heart of the Virgo Galaxy Cluster the string of galaxies known as Markarian’s Chain stretches across this deep telescopic field of view. Anchored in the frame at bottom center by prominent lenticular galaxies, M84 (bottom) and M86, you can follow the chain up and to the right. Near center you’ll spot the pair of interacting galaxies NGC 4438 and NGC 4435, known to some as Markarian’s Eyes. Its center an estimated 50 million light-years distant, the Virgo Cluster itself is the nearest galaxy cluster. With up to about 2,000 member galaxies, it has a noticeable gravitational influence on our own Local Group of Galaxies. Within the Virgo Cluster at least seven galaxies in Markarian’s Chain appear to move coherently, although others may appear to be part of the chain by chance.

Tomorrow’s picture: the galaxy tree

马卡莱恩星系链
影像提供与版权: Ginge Anvik

说明: 横贯过这片深空望远镜视野的主题天体，是室女座星系团中心附近，一串名为马卡莱恩链的醒目星系。在影像中，星系链最鲜明的定锚点，是影像中下方的两个大荚状星系M84（下方）和M86，然后星系链向上及向右伸展。影像中心附近的互扰星系对，称为马卡莱恩之眼。这些星系所隶属的室女星系团，是离我们最近的星系团，拥有超过2,000个成员星系，并对银河系所在的本星系群之星系成员，有相当明显的重力牵引。室女星系团里的马卡莱恩星系链，至少有7个星系像是在同步运动，不过，其余的成员只是恰好出现在同一方向而已。

明日的图片: the galaxy tree