Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Virgo (Vir)  ·  Contains:  M 84  ·  M 86  ·  M 87  ·  NGC 4374  ·  NGC 4388  ·  NGC 4402  ·  NGC 4406  ·  NGC 4407  ·  NGC 4425  ·  NGC 4435  ·  NGC 4438  ·  NGC 4459  ·  NGC 4461  ·  NGC 4473  ·  NGC 4474  ·  NGC 4477  ·  NGC 4486  ·  Virgo Galaxy
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Markarian's Chain, Prabhakaran
Markarian's Chain
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Markarian's Chain

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Markarian's Chain, Prabhakaran
Markarian's Chain
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Markarian's Chain

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Description

Markarian's Chain is a striking arrangement of galaxies located within the Virgo Cluster, stretching across approximately 1 degree in the constellation Virgo. Comprising of about a dozen galaxies. This cosmic spectacle is a result of gravitational interactions among galaxies, where they appear to be strung together like pearls on a necklace. Among the notable members of the chain are Messier 84, Messier 86, and the Markarian's eye (NGC 4438 and NGC 4435). At 50 million light-years distant, the Virgo Cluster itself is the nearest galaxy cluster. With up to about 2,000 member galaxies, it has a noticeable gravitational influence on our own Local Group of Galaxies. Within the Virgo Cluster, at least seven galaxies in Markarian's Chain appear to move coherently, although others may appear to be part of the chain by chance. Markarian's Chain is a popular target for amateur and professional astronomers alike due to its accessibility and its significance in understanding galactic interactions and the dynamics of galaxy clusters.

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Markarian's Chain, Prabhakaran

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Very Wide Field