The European Space Agency’s (ESA) has released a stunning new image of the Sombrero Galaxy, processed with advanced techniques and incorporating recent data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. The galaxy, located 30 million light-years away in the Virgo constellation, is a favorite target for amateur astronomers due to its striking appearance.
The Sombrero Galaxy’s unique shape makes it difficult to classify as either spiral or elliptical. Its disk resembles that of a spiral galaxy, while its spheroidal bulge and halo suggest characteristics of an elliptical galaxy. However, new data suggests the galaxy may have merged with another massive galaxy billions of years ago, resulting in its distinctive structure.
Researchers used Hubble’s observations to measure the presence of metals in the stars of the galaxy’s expansive halo, finding extremely metal-rich stars that indicate a possible ancient collision. The discovery provides critical insights into the galaxy’s history and helps astronomers trace a galaxy’s evolutionary path.
The Sombrero Galaxy is characterized by minimal star formation, with less than one solar mass of gas converting into stars annually within its dusty disk. Its central supermassive black hole, estimated at nine billion solar masses, remains relatively inactive despite its massive size.
This new image, which is part of the ESA/Hubble’s 35th anniversary celebrations, offers a sharper view of the galaxy’s features than previous images. The release complements observations from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope and underscores Hubble’s enduring contributions to astronomy.
Source: https://southernmarylandchronicle.com/2025/04/16/hubble-revisits-sombrero-galaxy-with-new-clarity