An early image of the Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104) !
This is an early image of the Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104), taken at the Mount Wilson Observatory.
There are reasons to believe that this is true.
Importance of Mount Wilson:
In the early 20th century, the Mount Wilson Observatory, especially its 100-inch Hooker Telescope, was at the forefront of astronomical observations. Edwin Hubble used the same telescope to make revolutionary discoveries about other galaxies and the expansion of the universe.
Period of discoveries:
In the 1920s, astronomers debated whether 'spiral nebulae' like M104 were actually within our Milky Way galaxy or separate 'island universes'. Images with clear structure were crucial in confirming that they were separate galaxies. 1929 was a pivotal year in this era of discovery.
Age of the image: The dull, black-and-white color of this image is consistent with the photographic technology of the time. Astronomers of the time had to keep glass plates exposed to the sky all night to capture enough light from distant objects.
Although images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope are clearer than this, this 1929 image represents a major advance in human understanding of the universe. It is one of the first clear images to show where humanity fits into a vast universe that includes many other galaxies.
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