This image may not be used by or to promote the arms, nuclear power or tobacco industries or any religious organisation, or in any discriminatory way, or to imply the endorsement by ESO of any product, service or activity Illustration showing the active galactic nucleus of Messier 77 spiral galaxy. The central region of Messier 77 has a black hole surrounded by a thin accretion disc. Astronomers have discovered that the accretion disc is itself surrounded by a ring of gas and dust that obscures the view of the black hole. Messier 77's active galactic nucleus also has jets (blue), that come out perpendicular to the region of the black hole.