Hubble finds another radio galaxy with an active nucleus and a supermassive black hole

The Hubble orbiting telescope has discovered another radio galaxy with a supermassive black hole at its centre. It's called NGC 547.

Here's What We Know

Galaxies with active nuclei have a bright central part because a supermassive black hole is located there. It absorbs dust and gas, resulting in very bright light.

Hubble has taken a photo of a pair of galaxies called Arp 308, about 250 million light-years away. NGC 547 is located in the centre of the image, while above it we can see NGC 545.

Scientists studied NGC 547 for a reason. Observing the radio galaxy is part of a scientific effort to test existing theories about galaxies with active nuclei.

Source: NASA