The nucleus of active galaxy NGC 1097

Feeding the Monster

Near-infrared images of the active galaxy NGC 1097, obtained with the NACO adaptive optics instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope, disclose with unprecedented detail a complex central network of filamentary structure spiralling down to the centre of the galaxy. These observations provide astronomers with new insights on how super-massive black holes lurking inside galaxies get fed.

NGC 1097 – click for 1467×1695 image


The scenery there is beautiful, but you probably wouldn't want to live there...

Tags: active galactic nuclei, black holes