Giant elliptical galaxy NGC 1316 in Fornax Cluster

Colour composite photo of the central area of NGC 1316, a giant elliptical galaxy in the Fornax cluster of galaxies. Many dark dust clouds and lanes are visible. Some of the star-like objects in the field are globular clusters of stars that belong to the galaxy. It is based on CCD exposures, obtained with the 8.2-m VLT/ANTU telescope and the FORS-1 multi-mode instrument through B (blue), V (green-yellow) and I (here rendered as red) filters, respectively. The "pyramids" above and below the bright centre of the galaxy and the vertical lines at some of the brighter stars are caused by overexposure ("CCD bleeding"). The field measures 6.8 x 6.8 arcmin 2, with 0.2 arcsec/pixel. The image quality of this composite is about 0.9 arcsec. North is up and East is left.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0024a
Type:Observation
Release date:28 July 2000
Related releases:eso0024
Size:1941 x 1944 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 1316
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Size : Giant
Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Elliptical
Distance:60 million light years
Constellation:Fornax
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
206.2 KB
Screensize JPEG
69.6 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
76.1 KB
1280x1024
101.8 KB
1600x1200
134.3 KB
1920x1200
161.4 KB
2048x1536
189.2 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):3 22 43.19
Position (Dec):-37° 11' 58.29"
Field of view:6.47 x 6.49 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.1° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical
B
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
R
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Infrared
I
Very Large Telescope
FORS1