Anne’s Image of the Day: Merging Galaxies NGC 2623
March 3, 2014
NGC 2623, two merging galaxies in Cancer
Image Credit: Hubble Legacy Archive, ESA, NASA; Processing: Martin Pugh
NGC 2623 (also known as Arp 243) is a pair of merging galaxies of roughly 50,000 light-years across, located about 253 million light-years away from Earth in the northern constellation of Cancer (the Crab), while it is speeding away from us at approximately 5,549 kilometers per second.
Interacting galaxies have a dramatic effect on each other. When galaxies approach one another, massive amounts of gas are pulled from each galaxy towards the center of the other, until ultimately, the two merge into one massive galaxy. Here we are witnessing the final stages of a titanic galaxy merger of two galaxies that are becoming one.
The centers of the original galaxy pair has already merged into one, very distorted and spectacularly bright core, but stretching out from the center are two striking long tidal tails of young stars and hot, bright young clusters of stars that heat and light up the gases surrounding them. These tidal tails are a strong indicator that a merger is taken place. During such a collision, the dramatic exchange of mass and gases initiates star formation, seen here in both the tails.
The prominent upper tail in this image is richly populated with about a hundred (!) bright star clusters. These star clusters may have formed as part of a loop of stretched material associated with the lower tail, or they may have formed from debris falling back onto the nucleus. In addition to this active star-forming region, both galactic arms harbor very young stars in the early stages of their evolution.
The star formation and its active galactic nucleus, filled with exceptionally large numbers of bright young stars, causes NGC 2623 to be classified as a Seyfert galaxy, which are galaxies with extremely bright nuclei that produce spectral line emission from highly ionized gas. The centers of Seyfert galaxies have active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and usually contain supermassive black holes with masses between 10 and 100 million solar masses.
A Type Ia supernova, designated SN 1999gd, has been discovered in this galaxy in November 1999 (by Lick Observatory Supernova Search). This type of supernova is a result from the violent explosion of a white dwarf star (a compact star that has ceased fusion in its core).
This sharp image of NGC 2623 also reveals even more distant background galaxies scattered through the field of view.
Source: http://annesastronomynews.com/annes-image-of-the-day-merging-galaxies-ngc-2623/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
