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Zoom into Sharpest Visible-light View of Andromeda Galaxy’s Double Nucleus

This zoom dives deep into the nucleus of the neighboring spiral galaxy M31, also known as the Andromeda galaxy. The new Hubble Space Telescope image centers on the 100-million-solar-mass black hole at the core of the galaxy and the young blue stars surrounding the black hole. This is the sharpest visible-light image ever made of the nucleus of an external galaxy. Astronomers are trying to understand how apparently young stars were formed so deep inside the black hole's gravitational grip and how they survive in an extreme environment.
  • Release Date
    January 11, 2012
  • Science Release
    Hubble Zooms in on Double Nucleus in Andromeda Galaxy
    Read the release
  • Credits
    NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI)

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Related Images & Videos

Hubble Zooms in on Double Nucleus in Andromeda Galaxy

Hubble Zooms in on Double Nucleus in Andromeda Galaxy

A new Hubble Space Telescope image centers on the 100-million-solar-mass black hole at the hub of the neighboring spiral galaxy M31, or the Andromeda galaxy, one of the few galaxies outside the Milky Way visible to the naked eye and the only other giant galaxy in the Local...

Center of M31

Center of M31

Ground-based Image of Andromeda Galaxy, M31

Ground-based Image of Andromeda Galaxy, M31

This image of the Andromeda galaxy was taken on Jan. 13, 2001, with the WIYN/KPNO 0.9-meter Mosaic I by T. Rector and B. Wolpa of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson, Ariz.

Compass and Scale Image of M31 Center

Compass and Scale Image of M31 Center

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Last Updated
Feb 17, 2025
Contact
Media

Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov

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