Sombrero galaxy


Sombrero galaxy

(som-brair -oh) (M104; NGC 4594) A spiral (Sa/Sb) galaxy in the constellation Virgo that has a relatively large bright nucleus and lies at a distance of 15 Mpc. The spiral structure is difficult to trace because the galaxy appears almost edge-on. A dark absorption band of interstellar dust in the galactic plane is clearly visible against the bright bulge component.

Sombrero galaxy

[səm′brer·ō ′gal·ik·sē] (astronomy) A spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo that is seen nearly edge-on, having a recession velocity of approximately 910 kilometers per second (565 miles per second).