Virgo Galaxy Cluster (18-panel Mosaic)

This was my first multi-panel image and represents about 90% of the field containing the Virgo Galaxy Cluster.

Containing more than 2,000 galaxies, the Virgo cluster exerts tremendous gravitational influence on its members and neighbors, including what astronomers call our own “Local Group” of galaxies. Current evidence suggests that eventually, the Virgo cluster will swallow up the Local Group.

The Virgo cluster is home to 16 Messier galaxies—M49, M58, M59, M60, M61, M84, M85, M86, M87, M88, M89, M90, M91, M98, M99, and M100. Two of those, M86 and M84 are part of a spectacular formation of galaxies called Markarian’s Chain, that are all moving together.