M87 is the central dominant galaxy in the Virgo cluster (distance = 16
Mpc). The ROSAT Observatory image below (see
Bohringer et al. 1994) shows the bright X-ray peak (white)
centered on M87 and the surrounding environment.
Other notable objects in the ROSAT image are labeled and include:
- M86 (2 deg to the northwest, upper right), a galaxy infalling
galaxy with supersonic velocity (1500 km/sec) and showing a long X-ray
tail (150 kpc in projection; a simple model of the 3D motion of M86
yields a true length of 380 kpc)
- M49 (about 5 deg due south), the most luminous optical galaxy
in the Virgo cluster, is 50 times fainter than M87 in X-rays
In addition to viewing the X-ray image of the Virgo cluster and its
member galaxies, take Brent Tully's animated
trip to the Virgo cluster at the IFA web site or see it from
YOU TUBE .
