Supermassive black hole at the heart of NGC 5548
This is the galaxy known as NGC 5548. At its heart, though not visible here, is a supermassive black hole behaving in a strange and unexpected manner. Researchers detected a clumpy gas stream flowing quickly outwards and blocking 90 percent of the X-rays emitted by the black hole. This activity could provide insights into how supermassive black holes interact with their host galaxies.
Credit:ESA/Hubble and NASA. Acknowledgement: Davide de Martin.
About the Image
Id: | heic1413a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 19 June 2014, 20:00 |
Related releases: | heic1413 |
Size: | 1159 x 907 px |
About the Object
Name: | NGC 5548 |
Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Component : Central Black Hole |
Distance: | 250 million light years |
Constellation: | Bootes |
Category: | Galaxies Quasars and Black Holes |
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 14 17 59.54 |
Position (Dec): | 25° 8' 12.63" |
Field of view: | 0.48 x 0.38 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 37.0° right of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Ultraviolet U | 330 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical V | 547 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Optical V | 550 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |