It’s what is known as a peculiar galaxy<\/a> \u2013 one that has characteristics of both a highly structured spiral galaxy, and a more diffuse elliptical galaxy, thus fitting into neither category, but hanging about somewhere in between.<\/p>\n What makes it stand out from other galaxies is a large series of thick dust lanes in its galactic plane and around its outer perimeter that seem to give it a border, like the brim of a very fancy hat.<\/p>\n The galaxy was first observed by Hubble in 2003, and since then, that image<\/a> has become one of the telescope’s most beloved shots. It’s that image that has now been reprocessed<\/a> with new techniques, revealing more intricate details within the galaxy itself, and more stars faintly speckling the background.<\/p>\n Although the Sombrero Galaxy is very bright and full of stars, it is not particularly active in star formation, producing maybe one Sun’s worth of new stars per year. It’s a little bigger than the Milky Way, and a little hard to study because of its nearly edge-on orientation and extremely bright center.<\/p>\n frameborder=”0\u2033 allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen><\/p>\n JWST observations in the mid-infrared show prominent clumpy dust around the outer edge, and a bright center with an active supermassive black hole<\/a>, which clocks in at a mass of around 9 billion Suns.<\/p>\n The dust lanes around the galaxy’s outer reaches are part of its spiral structure<\/a>. The brightly glowing bulge in the center is more consistent with an elliptical galaxy.<\/p>\n Whatever it is, its unique appearance makes it a favorite for both professional and amateur astronomers alike, and a true joy to behold.<\/p>\n![\"Hubble](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/jwst-dust-lanes.jpg\")
JWST image of the Sombrero Galaxy released in 2024. (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI<\/a>)<\/p>\n