Active galaxy Markarian 509
This image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows the galaxy Markarian 509. The bright object at the centre of the galaxy, which appears like a star, is an active galactic nucleus. This is a bright celestial phenomenon caused by matter glowing as it falls into a supermassive black hole at the heart of the galaxy.
The surroundings of the black hole in Markarian 509 have been studied in a major campaign which includes the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, as well as other telescopes in space and on the ground.
Credit:
NASA, ESA, J. Kriss (STScI) and J. de Plaa (SRON)
About the Image
| Id: | ann1121a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 29 September 2011, 14:10 |
| Related announcements: | ann1121 |
| Size: | 1500 x 1500 px |
About the Object
| Name: | Mrk 509 |
| Type: | • Local Universe : Galaxy : Activity : AGN : Seyfert • Galaxies Images/Videos |
| Distance: | 500 million light years |
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
| Optical y |
547 nm | Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 |
