May 1, 2026
A birthday is what happens when cosmic time briefly puts down the scale of eons and pays attention to a single human year.
Markarian's Chain
Birthday · May 1, 2026
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APOD published May 1, 2026. Credit: Chuck Ayoub. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
Near the heart of the Virgo Galaxy Cluster, a string of galaxies known as Markarian's Chain stretches across this telescopic field of view. Anchored in the frame at bottom right by prominent lenticular galaxies, M84 (bottom) and M86, you can follow the chain's gentle arc up and toward the left. Near center you'll spot the pair of interacting galaxies NGC 4438 and NGC 4435, known to some as Markarian's Eyes. An estimated 50 million light-years distant, the Virgo Cluster itself is the nearest galaxy cluster. With up to about 2,000 member galaxies, it has a noticeable gravitational influence on our own Local Group of Galaxies. Within the Virgo Cluster at least seven galaxies in Markarian's Chain appear to move coherently, while others may appear to be part of the chain by chance.
Image credit: Chuck Ayoub