A cosmic hit and run

This Picture of the Week shows the Vela ring galaxy, visible as a bright core surrounded by a baby blue halo. This ring galaxy — located in the southern constellation of Antlia (The Pump) — is notable due to its compact core and large circular belt of gas and stars.

It is thought that ring galaxies like this are created when larger galaxies are punctured by a smaller galactic aggressor, which, passing through the heart of its more sizeable victim, triggers a shock wave that spreads outwards. This pushes gas to the galaxy’s periphery, where it begins to collapse and form new stars. The Vela ring galaxy is unusual in that it actually exhibits at least two rings, suggesting that the collision was not a recent one.

This picture also features a galaxy known as ESO 316-33, seen just above and to the left of the Vela ring galaxy, and a bright star known as HD 88170.

Källa:

ESO. Acknowledgements: Jean-Christophe Lambry

Om bilden

ID:potw1619a
Typ:Observation
Publiceringsdatum:9 maj 2016 06:00
Storlek:2032 x 2032 px

Om objektet

Namn:ESO 316-33, HD 88170, VELA RING Galaxy
Typ:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Ring
Constellation:Antlia
Kategori:Galaxies

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1,2 MB
Skärmstor jpeg
202,8 kB

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Koordinater

Position (RA):10 9 7.26
Position (Dec):-38° 24' 32.33"
Field of view:12.77 x 12.35 arcminutes
Orientering:Nord är 0.0° vänster om lodrätt

Färger och filter

BandTeleskop
Synligt ljus
B
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Synligt ljus
V
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Synligt ljus
Ha
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Synligt ljus
R
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI