Galaxy NGC 2768

NGC 2768 is a majestic elliptical galaxy located 65 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major, the same region of sky that contains the famous Big Dipper asterism. Unlike spiral galaxies with their elegant arms and active star formation, elliptical galaxies like NGC 2768 are dominated by older stellar populations and possess a smooth, elongated appearance. At the heart of this galaxy lies a supermassive black hole millions of times more massive than our Sun, actively feeding on surrounding material and powering energetic jets of particles and radiation from its active galactic nucleus. These jets, launched from the immediate vicinity of the black hole, extend far beyond the visible galaxy and can be detected across vast distances. NGC 2768 serves as an important example of how supermassive black holes influence their host galaxies and the surrounding intergalactic environment.