Messier 87 (IMAGE) Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Caption The giant radio galaxy Messier 87 is located in our immediate "cosmic vicinity", only about 55 million light years away. In the bright outflow of matter from the center of Messier 87, particles are accelerated to near the speed of light. Scientists were now able to show, combining observations from the lowest and highest end of the electromagnetic spectrum, that particle acceleration to the highest energies takes place very close the center of Messier 87. Credit Image: NASA and the Hubble Heritage Team STScI/AURA Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.