Hubble image of NGC 7252

The stunning Atoms for Peace galaxy was given its nickname due to its superficial resemblance to an atomic nucleus, surrounded by the loops of orbiting electrons. “Atoms for Peace” was the title of a speech given by President Eisenhower in 1953, in an attempt to rebrand nuclear power as a tool for working toward global peace. Somewhat ironically this galaxy has had anything but a peaceful past — it was formed in a catastrophic merger between two smaller galaxies nearly 1 Gyr ago.

Credit:

NASA & ESA, Acknowledgement: Judy Schmidt (Geckzilla)

About the Image

Id:potw1806a
Type:Observation
Release date:5 February 2018, 06:00
Size:2461 x 1614 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 7252
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Interacting
Distance:220 million light years
Constellation:Aquarius
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
1.3 MB
Screensize JPEG
183.2 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x768
308.2 KB
1280x1024
543.1 KB
1600x1200
781.1 KB
1920x1200
912.3 KB
2048x1536
1.2 MB

Coordinates

Position (RA):22 20 44.69
Position (Dec):-24° 40' 42.33"
Field of view:1.63 x 1.07 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.1° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
u
336 nmHubble Space Telescope
WFC3
Optical
g
475 nmHubble Space Telescope
WFC3
Infrared
J
1.1 μmHubble Space Telescope
WFC3