M86 and the Virgo Cluster

The Virgo Cluster is the nearest large galaxy cluster, about 53 million light-years away. Markarian’s Chain strings together some of the cluster’s brightest members diagonally across the frame, from M84 and M86 through to NGC 4477. With 5h 12m of total integration the outer halos and intergalactic matter bridges between several of the prominent galaxies are clearly visible.