Hubble Image of Spiral Galaxy M88 Shows Ram Pressure Stripping in Virgo Cluster (esa.int)

• M88 is a spiral galaxy in the Virgo Cluster, moving toward the cluster center.
• Ram pressure stripping is removing its gas, affecting star formation.
• The central supermassive black hole has a mass of about 100 million Suns.

"The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a detailed image of spiral galaxy Messier 88 (M88) as it journeys toward the center of the Virgo Cluster. The galaxy is undergoing ram pressure stripping, a process where its gas is swept away by the intergalactic medium, reducing its star formation capability. M88 hosts a supermassive black hole of about 100 million solar masses. The observations are part of HST program 18103 led by D. Thilker."