Astronomy: Messier 104 the Sombrero nebula

This image of spiral galaxy Messier 104 is also known as the Sombrero nebula (the Mexican hat), because of its particular shape. The Sombrero is located in the constellation Virgo at a distance of about 50 million light years. This galaxy is notable for its dominant nuclear bulge, composed primarily of mature stars, and its thin disc composed of stars, gas and dust. To observe the nebula you should point a strong telescope west of the bright star Spica. Messier 104 is the 104th object in the famous catalog of nebulae by French astronomer Charles Messier. Related subjects >> Messier catalog of 110 deep sky objects >> Charles Messier