HOW BIG
DiscoverGalaxies

Galaxies

Elliptical galaxy M87: size, dimension and comparison

The adopted reference is about 120,000 light-years.

reference luminous diameter ≈ 120 000 ly

A light-year is a distance: how far light travels in one year. It is used for distances between stars.

A giant galaxy without the arms of a spiral.

Explore at this scale
Elliptical galaxy M87, interpreted illustration
Interpreted illustration · dimension stated in the fact sheet.

What does this number measure?

NASA's description of this Hubble view gives 120 000 ly for the galaxy. This is a documented luminous extent, not its entire diffuse envelope or dark matter halo. The small jet is interpreted in the drawing.

Compare the stated dimensions

The comparison uses the number in each fact sheet: altitude, height, diameter, length or distance, depending on the reference. Two values in metres do not necessarily describe the same property.

Compare with Barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300 in the explorer →

Source and limitations

Rounded documentary extent. Boundaries are diffuse and depend on the observations and convention used; this is not a distance from Earth.

Original schematic illustration, not a photograph. Shapes, colours and details are interpreted; only the stated dimension is compared.

Illustration sources

How Big — generated illustration; NASA/ESA documentation.

Source coverage: Visual interpretation; colours and texture do not constitute an observation. Only the designated extent follows the catalogue's reference value.

How Big — generated illustration; NASA/ESA documentation.

Source coverage: Visual interpretation; colours and texture do not constitute an observation. Only the designated extent follows the catalogue's reference value.