{"product_id":"messier-59-ngc-4621-hubble-space-telescope-image","title":"Messier 59 (NGC 4621) – Hubble Space Telescope Image","description":"\u003cp\u003eNGC 4621, better known as Messier 59, fills this Hubble view with a broad, softly luminous presence. Its elongated centre burns almost white, then loosens into successive layers of grey, dusty yellow and the faintest blue before disappearing into blackness. Unlike the sharply articulated arms of a spiral galaxy, its light appears remarkably smooth: a concentrated core surrounded by a diffuse, oval halo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMessier 59 is an elliptical galaxy in the constellation Virgo, approximately 50 million light-years from Earth. Such galaxies are generally dominated by old, red stars and show little or no new star formation. Messier 59 does not conform entirely to that pattern. Modern observations have found signs of star formation here, including newborn stars within a disc near the galaxy’s core—a comparatively youthful component concealed inside an otherwise evolved stellar system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe galaxy belongs to the Virgo Cluster, a vast association of some 2,000 galaxies. Yet this particular composition feels notably spare. Hubble isolates the luminous orb against a dark field, allowing the gradual fall of light from its brilliant centre to its quiet outer regions to become the image’s defining feature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA closer look\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt first, the galaxy may seem almost uniformly smooth. Seen at scale, however, small variations emerge. The bright central region is narrow and subtly extended rather than perfectly circular, with faint threadlike changes in luminosity close to the core. Along the lower edge, the glow is gently mottled; towards the left, pale wisps appear to dissolve into the surrounding darkness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe transition between galaxy and background has no hard boundary. Instead, the halo thins by degrees, its outermost light becoming difficult to separate from the dark sky. This delicate recession gives the galaxy an atmospheric quality while preserving the strong visual pull of its centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond it, the field is punctuated sparingly. A small point of light towards the lower left shows distinct rays, while the upper-right region contains several dim points and compact, indistinct forms. These restrained background details give the central galaxy room to dominate while revealing how much remains visible once the eye adjusts to the quieter reaches of the frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow this image was made\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe image was created from observations by the NASA\/ESA Hubble Space Telescope using its Advanced Camera for Surveys. Hubble’s view brings out both the intense concentration of starlight around the centre and the much subtler outer halo. The available release information does not specify the observation dates, exposure time, filters or colour treatment, so the visible palette is best appreciated as part of the finished astronomical image without assuming how closely it corresponds to unaided human vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eImage details and provenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e NGC 4621, better known as Messier 59\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObject type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elliptical galaxy\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstellation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Virgo\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDistance from Earth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 50 million light-years\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAstronomical setting:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Virgo Cluster, an association of approximately 2,000 galaxies\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope:\u003c\/strong\u003e NASA\/ESA Hubble Space Telescope\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstrument:\u003c\/strong\u003e Advanced Camera for Surveys\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal release date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 27 May 2019, 06:00\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOfficial source:\u003c\/strong\u003e ESA\/Hubble, “Bucking the trend”\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImage credit:\u003c\/strong\u003e ESA\/Hubble \u0026amp; NASA, P. Cote\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoosing the right size and finish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFine art can feel intimate at smaller sizes and more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to judge the scale of the piece in your space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor exact dimensions, specialist framing or a larger project, \u003ca href=\"\/it\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop for advice\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this art print.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. \u003ca href=\"\/it\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee examples of personalised artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Original for colour that remains faithful to the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer antique character. \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/sepia-aged-maps\"\u003eSee examples of our Aged artwork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or canvas using the finish options above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFramed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, reduced reflections and safer delivery. They arrive professionally framed and ready to hang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSelected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/custom-framing\"\u003especialist framing\u003c\/a\u003e are also available; \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/it\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact our workshop\u003c\/a\u003e if the exact option you need is not listed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Art print","offer_id":58837363884416,"sku":null,"price":54.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed art print","offer_id":58837363917184,"sku":null,"price":145.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed canvas","offer_id":58837363949952,"sku":null,"price":152.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Art print","offer_id":58837363982720,"sku":null,"price":54.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed art 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