M104    The Sombrero Galaxy in Virgo (NGC 4594)

        Object type:             Spiral (Sa) Galaxy

        Distance from Earth:      42,380,000 light years 


        The Sombrero Galaxy is a spiral galaxy characterized by a dark
        band of dust through its center which obscures the central bulge or
        core.  M104 is tilted only 6 from our line of sight.  Its central
        core is quite prominent - M104 resembles an elliptical galaxy with
        spiral arms tightly wound around it.
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