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Zoom and Pan into the Sombrero Galaxy

The Sombrero galaxy's hallmark is a brilliant white, bulbous core encircled by the thick dust lanes comprising the spiral structure of the galaxy. This brilliant galaxy was named the Sombrero galaxy because of its resemblance to the broad rim and high-topped Mexican hat. The Sombrero lies at the southern edge of the rich Virgo cluster of galaxies and is one of the most massive objects in that group.
  • Release Date
    October 2, 2003
  • Science Release
    Heritage Project Celebrates Five Years of Harvesting the Best Images from Hubble Space Telescope
    Read the release
  • Credits
    NASA and G. Bacon (STScI)

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Related Images & Videos

A very oblong, pale white disk with a bright center extends from left to right on a black background.

The Majestic Sombrero Galaxy (M104)

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has trained its razor-sharp eye on one of the universe's most stately and photogenic galaxies, the Sombrero galaxy, Messier 104 (M104). The galaxy's hallmark is a brilliant white, bulbous core encircled by the thick dust lanes comprising the spiral...

A Composite Image of the Sombrero Galaxy in Visible and Infrared Light

A Composite Image of the Sombrero Galaxy in Visible and Infrared Light

NASA's Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes joined forces to create this striking composite image of one of the most popular sights in the universe. Messier 104 is commonly known as the Sombrero galaxy because in visible light, it resembles the broad-brimmed Mexican hat. However,...

The Sombrero Galaxy in Visible, Infrared, and Composite

The Sombrero Galaxy in Visible, Infrared, and Composite

NASA's Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes joined forces to create this striking composite image of one of the most popular sights in the universe. Messier 104 is commonly known as the Sombrero galaxy because in visible light, it resembles the broad-brimmed Mexican hat. However,...

Zoom into the Sombrero Galaxy

Zoom into the Sombrero Galaxy

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Last Updated
Mar 14, 2025
Contact
Media

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

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