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M87 Animations
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Sequence of M87 Images
Quicktime
MPEG
This sequence begins with an optical view of M87, a giant elliptical
galaxy only 50 million light years away in the Virgo cluster. X-ray data
(red) are then overlaid and reveal a series of loops and bubbles in the
hot gas that surrounds the galaxy and fills the cluster. These are
evidence of repeated outbursts from close to the supermassive black hole
in M87, which are responsible for producing sound throughout the cluster.
[Runtime: 0:23]
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/W.Forman et al.; Optical: DSS)
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Animation Showing a Supermassive Black Hole Outburst in M87
Quicktime
MPEG
This animation depicts an outburst generated by a supermassive black hole
in M87, a large elliptical galaxy in the middle of the Virgo Cluster. Gas
and dust (reddish-brown disk) are being pulled around by the enormous
gravity of the supermassive black hole, which is buried in the center of
M87. The animation then zooms out to show the full view of the galaxy,
which is surrounded by hot gas (red) that pervades the galaxy
cluster. White jets, fueled from material falling onto the black hole, then
erupt from near the black hole and push gas backwards to create dark
cavities in the cluster gas. Direct evidence for repeated eruptions like
this is found in Chandra images of M87. Small eruptions occur every few
million years and more powerful outbursts repeat over timescales of tens of
millions of years. This will generate incredibly deep sound waves in the
cluster.
[Runtime: 0:24]
(Credit: NASA/CXC/A.Hobart)
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Return to M87
(05 Oct 06)
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