Date 2008	Location NMSS	Software CCDSoft, Astroart 4	Mount Paramount ME	Guide ST-10
Optic FSQ 105	Camera QSI 520ci	Filter O-S-C	Exposure 300s x 12	Process Photoshop CS2

Billions and Billions.com/Virgo Cluster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Virgo Cluster with Markarian's Chain

Located 70,000,000 light years from us, the Virgo Cluster is a collection of several thousand galaxies.  Its most interesting feature- Markarian's Chain is named for B. E. Markarian, an Armenian astronomer credited with its discovery in the 1970s.  It extends from the two massive lenticular galaxies (M84 and M86) at right through 'The Eyes'- NGC 4435 and 4438 (left of center) and beyond the scope of this composition.  Return to the Gallery