A tale of galactic collisions
When we look into the distant cosmos, the great majority of the objects we see are galaxies: immense gatherings of stars, planets, gas, dust, and dark matter, showing up in all kind of shapes. This Hubble picture registers several, but the galaxy catalogued as 2MASX J05210136-2521450 stands out at a glance due to its interesting shape.
This object is an ultraluminous infrared galaxy which emits a tremendous amount of light at infrared wavelengths. Scientists connect this to intense star formation activity, triggered by a collision between two interacting galaxies.
The merging process has left its signs: 2MASX J05210136-2521450 presents a single, bright nucleus and a spectacular outer structure that consists of a one-sided extension of the inner arms, with a tidal tail heading in the opposite direction, formed from material ripped out from the merging galaxies by gravitational forces.
The image is a combination of exposures taken by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys, using near-infrared and visible light. A version of this image was submitted to the Hubble’s Hidden Treasures image processing competition by contestant Luca Limatola.
Credit:ESA/Hubble & NASA
Acknowledgement: Luca Limatola
About the Image
Id: | potw1318a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 6 May 2013, 10:00 |
Size: | 1998 x 1998 px |
About the Object
Name: | 2MASX J05210136-2521450 |
Type: | Early Universe : Galaxy : Activity : Ultraluminous |
Distance: | z=0.04 (redshift) |
Constellation: | Lepus |
Category: | Galaxies |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 5 21 1.28 |
Position (Dec): | -25° 21' 40.56" |
Field of view: | 1.68 x 1.68 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 26.2° left of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Optical B | 435 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Infrared I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |