Explanation:
Face-on
spiral galaxy M77
lies a mere 60 million light-years away
toward the aquatic
constellation Cetus.
Also known as NGC 1068, its very bright core
is well studied
by astronomers exploring the mysteries of
supermassive black
holes in active galaxies.
While M77 is also
seen at x-ray, ultraviolet, infrared, and radio wavelengths,
this visible light
image highlights another remarkable aspect
of the galaxy.
In the picture, the data has been enhanced to show
outer faint
details, following
spiral
arms and structures that
reach far beyond the galaxy's brighter central regions.
Including the fainter outskirts, the
galaxy's diameter is well over 100 thousand light-years
at M77's estimated distance,
making it larger than our own spiral
Milky Way.
