Chandra Release - October 1, 2003

Visual Description: M86

The X-ray and optical composite image of the giant elliptical galaxy M86 (NGC 4406) is a unique representation of this celestial object. The galaxy appears as a large, elongated shape in the center of the image, reminiscent of a segmented oval with a tail, or like a gymnast tucking in from a flip upside down. The image appears somewhat fuzzy or textured, similar to a cloudy sky on a rainy day. The color palette of the image is dominated by light and dark blues, hints of red, and bits of yellow. Prominent features within the image include the galaxy's central region, which appears brighter and more concentrated than the surrounding areas. This bright area is likely due to the concentration of stars, a black hole and other cosmic objects within the galaxy's core.  Overall, this image of M86 shows gas being swept out of the galaxy to form a long tail more than 200,000 light years in length. Located in the Virgo galaxy cluster, this enormous elliptical galaxy is moving at about 3 million miles per hour through diffuse hot gas that pervades the cluster. The supersonic motion of M86 produces pressure that is stripping gas from the galaxy and forming the spectacular tail.