Elliptical Galaxy NGC 1316

Surprisingly complex loops and blobs of cosmic dust lie across the face of the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 1316. These are thought to be the remains of the interstellar medium associated with one or more spiral galaxies that have been gravitationally pulled into NGC 1316. Evidence of these mergers was provided by Hubble’s accurate measurements of globular star clusters found within the galaxy. NGC 1316 is located approximately 62 million light-years away in the direction of the southern constellation Fornax. It is believed to house a supermassive black hole that contains 130 million to 150 million solar masses.