The Fornax Galaxy Cluster

A cluster of over 50 galaxies dominated by the giant elliptical NGC 1387 (centre) and the spectacular giant barred spiral NGC 1365 lower right. It is the second richest galaxy cluster within 100Mly after the Virgo Cluster. Most of the galaxies are old yellow ellipticals or edge-on spirals or spirals having features of each, but NGC 1365 has many young blue stars and active star formation regions (close-up); there is also a bluish irregular galaxy and many fainter members are present. Three degrees SW lies a second sub-cluster centred on NGC 1316 which also forms part of the Fornax group. Distance ~60Mly.