The Sombrero Galaxy (M104)

Code: M104, NGC 4594
Type: Spiral galaxy
Constellation: Virgo
Distance from the Sun: 31.3 million ly

Seen almost edge-on, M104 reveals a disk of dark dust passing through a halo of golden stars. Its central bulge houses a supermassive black hole with a billion solar masses. Its faint brightness makes it very difficult to observe, even with large telescopes.

Fun fact: In the sky, the Sombrero Galaxy covers no more than the eye of a needle held at arm's length!