M 106 is a spiral galaxy about 25 million light years away. It has a very active supermassive black hole at its core with a large accretion disc. As a result of material falling into the black hole, jets of highly charged molecular matter have been discovered. In particular, M 106 sports what is called a water vapor megamaser. A maser is the equivalent of a laser operating in the microwave instead of the visible light spectrum and when you add a "mega" to the noun it is operating on a galactic scale. A water vapor maser emission occurs because water molecules are energized enough to emit their extra energy as microwaves. "Watery" galaxies with megamasers are just 5-10% of the galactic population. I just read where astronomers have discovered the furthest water vapor megamaser in a galaxy 11 billion light years distant. Now, that's far out. #zwoasi #zwo #zwocameras #celestrontelescope #reflectortelescope #clayhausphotography #astronomy #astrophotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CNfUb6SBeJj/?igshid=1h81ge2r3stvx