An ongoing cosmic collision
NGC 5256 is a pair of galaxies in its final stage of merging. It was previously observed by Hubble as part of a collection of 59 images of merging galaxies, released on Hubble’s 18th anniversary on 24 April 2008. The new data make the gas and dust being whirled around inside and outside the galaxy more visible than ever before.
This image is composed of data gathered with the Advanced Camera for Surveys and the Wide-Field Camera 3.
Credit:ESA/Hubble, NASA
About the Image
| Id: | heic1720a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 14 December 2017, 16:00 |
| Related releases: | heic1720 |
| Size: | 2712 x 2712 px |
About the Object
| Name: | NGC 5256 |
| Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Interacting |
| Distance: | 350 million light years |
| Constellation: | Ursa Major |
| Category: | Galaxies |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 13 38 17.78 |
| Position (Dec): | 48° 16' 33.21" |
| Field of view: | 2.26 x 2.26 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 28.7° left of vertical |
View in ESASky:
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Optical B | 435 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
| Optical B | 435 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
| Infrared I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
| Optical SII | 673 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Infrared I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |