M77

M77, also known as NGC 1068, is a barred spiral galaxy located approximately 47 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Cetus. It is one of the most luminous and massive galaxies in the local universe, with a diameter of about 170,000 light-years. M77 is classified as a Seyfert galaxy, which means it has an active galactic nucleus (AGN) powered by a supermassive black hole at its center. The black hole in M77 is estimated to have a mass of around 15 million solar masses and is accreting material at a high rate, causing intense radiation and powerful jets of particles.

The galaxy's spiral arms are rich in star-forming regions, and it is also known for its prominent dust lanes that obscure the central region. M77 is a popular target for amateur astronomers due to its brightness and distinctive appearance. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and later added to Charles Messier's catalog as the 77th object. The galaxy's active nucleus and star-forming regions make it an important subject for study in the fields of astrophysics and cosmology.