Chandra X-ray Image of M87, Close-Up
This close-up of M87 shows the region surrounding the jet of high-energy particles in more detail. The jet is thought to be pointed at a small angle to the line of sight, out of the plane of the image. This jet may be only the latest in a series of jets that have been produced as magnetized gas spirals in a disk toward the supermassive black hole. More information on the M87 Jet.
Scale: Image is about 3 arcmin per side.
(Credit: NASA/CXC/W. Forman et al. )

Chandra X-ray Image of M87, Minus Radial Gradient
A version of M87's long-exposure image that has been specially processed to bring out faint features in the outer region of the galaxy reveals two circular rings with radii of 45 thousand and 55 thousand light years, respectively. These features are likely sound waves produced by earlier explosions about 10 million and 14 million years ago, respectively in M87-time (M87 is 50 million light years from Earth). More information on Cosmic Look-Back Time.
Scale: Image is 8.6 x 13.7 arcmin.
(Credit: NASA/CXC/W. Forman et al.)

X-ray/Radio Composite of M87
A central jet is surrounded by nearby bright arcs and dark cavities in the multimillion degree Celsius atmosphere of M87. Much further out, at a distance of about fifty thousand light years from the galaxy's center, faint rings can be seen and two spectacular plumes extend beyond the rings. These features, shown in X-rays, together with VLA radio observations, are dramatic evidence that repetitive outbursts from the central supermassive black hole have been affecting the entire galaxy for a hundred million years or more.
Scale: Image is 8.6 x 13.7 arcmin.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/W. Forman et al. Radio: NRAO/AUI/NSF/O. Eilek & Kassim)

VLA Radio Image of M87
This radio image of the giant elliptical galaxy M87 was taken on July 12, 1998 with NRAO's Very Large Array (VLA). The radio observations, along with Chandra data, are dramatic evidence that repetitive outbursts from the central supermassive black hole have been affecting the entire galaxy for a hundred million years or more.
Scale: Image is 8.6 x 13.7 arcmin.
(Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF/O. Eilek & Kassim)

DSS Optical Image of M87
This image from the Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) shows the elliptical galaxy M87 in visible light. The field of view is the same as the Chandra image.
Scale: Image is 8.6 x 13.7 arcmin.
(Credit: Pal.Obs. DSS)