Not all deep-sky objects require some imagination they just are what they are and leave no doubts. This is the case of Messier 104 (or M104), also called the Sombrero Galaxy. It gets its name for a simple reason it really resembles a sombrero in its appearance, with the distinctive features such as the bright core, dark lane dividing the galaxy and flat shape. Situated approximately 29 million light-years away, in the constellation of Virgo, this galaxy is too dim to be spotted with naked eye but is quite luminous to become a great backyard observing object.
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However, the image of Messier 104 may be deceptive. As described by NOIRLab, using imagery obtained with Dark Energy Camera at the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope, modern scientists have discovered many peculiarities of the galaxy that were previously unseen. Apart from the obvious bright core surrounded by the disk, a huge halo and stellar stream can be seen surrounding the galaxy, with halo stretching at least three times further than the galaxy’s disk itself.
Another distinctive feature is the dark dust lane of the galaxy, which marks the outer edge of the disk. From our position outside of the galaxy, we observe it in an almost perfect edge-on view, which results in a dark strip crossing the galaxy. This area is also home to most of the ongoing star formation processes that take place in the galaxy. However, as noted by NASA, M104 is not a particularly active galactic region, and less than a solar mass is being formed here yearly.
From another perspective, the Sombrero is also revealed differently in the visible range and mid-infrared radiation. For example, while Hubble Space Telescope highlights its prominent core and sharp edges of the disk, the mid-infrared image from James Webb telescope obtained by the help of MIRI instrument reveals a smoother inner disc and dust-filled area in the outer ring. This is an important reminder that astronomy photographs are not just more detailed images but reveal a lot about the physical components of the object.
Finally, the heart of the galaxy contains one more peculiarity that adds value to its exploration supermassive black hole that contains about nine billion solar masses. At the same time, NASA notes, Messier 104 is a rather quiet galaxy. One other interesting fact regarding the galaxy is related to numerous globular clusters found in it (NASA believes there are around 2,000).
In conclusion, it can be said that M104 has earned its popularity because of its recognizable look, but also offers great opportunities for study. Wide-field ground-based observations allow discovering details of the galaxy and its halo, while the combination of Hubble and Webb photos help to reveal layers of the system. It is a unique observation and scientific object for the enthusiasts of both spheres.