In this impressive image of the spiral galaxy NGC 4594, the glowing central bulge is clearly visible. The dark rim of dust encircling the galaxy resembles the brim of a hat—hence the galaxy’s more popular name, the Sombrero Galaxy. 
    Spiral galaxies are commonly surrounded by a “halo” of gas and stars. Here the halo appears as a diffuse glow. The bright spots inside it are globular clusters. 
    More than 40 million light years away, NGC 4594 is one of the brightest and most massive members of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies.