#messier 88

[cosmonautroger]

Messier 88

[zespaceblog]

Messier 88

This galaxy sits 50-60 Million light years from Earth in the constellation of Coma Berenices, it's part of the Virgo cluster of galaxies, and just like our own galaxy, is 100,00 light years side to side.

Unlike our galaxy M88 has a more immediate threat, it's currently hurtling towards the centre of the cluster, where a more familiar M87 lies in wait.

Already there is a bow shock wave stripping M88 of hydrogen as it approaches, but when it does finally come close, the result will be spectacular.

The dust and gas of M88 will be pulled into M87, forcing a massive burst of star formation, as the galaxy is ripped apart by the tidal forces, it will momentarily merge and leave the giant galaxy with a visible remnant, such as Centaurus A above.

Over time the star formation will die down and the material be quenched by the supermassive black hole, that soon will be even larger as it merges with M88's.

The entire process will take billions of years, but for future astronomers (be them of any species in and around the Virgo cluster) it will be a spectacular show.

[quiltofstars]

M88 // Andrew Burwell

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M88 // Daniele Coliva

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M88 // AnaTa

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M88 // etao-lin

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M88 // John Hayes

Another member of the Virgo Cluster, M88 is a relatively undisturbed spiral galaxy. However, it won't remain that way for long: it is on a direct collision course with the center of the Virgo Cluster which is currently occupied by M87. In about 200-300 million years, most of its gas and dust will have been stripped by ram pressure stripping, and it will become a lenticular or elliptical galaxy.

[quiltofstars]

M88 // Rod Hughes