Messier 106

 

Messier 106 is classed as an intermediate spiral galaxy and is similar in size to the Andromeda Galaxy (M 31). But there the resemblance ends. M 106 is a Seyfert Galaxy and its quasar-like nucleus is powered by an immense black hole. Cephied variables on M 106 also played an important role in calibrating their role in the Cosmic Distance Ladder--a set of methods that enables astronomers to determine the distance of celestial objects. This image is heavily cropped as it was taken with a wide field (RASA) telescope. I have also attached an uncropped and annotated image, showing galaxies and other objects in the imaged field. Click and zoom for larger images,