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> Spiral galaxy NGC 5907 in Draco

Spiral galaxy NGC 5907 in Draco

author: R.Jay GaBany/Novapix

reference: a-gax59-07005

Image Size 300 DPI: 20 * 31 cm

Here is an extragalactic perspective of an extended stellar tidal stream wrapping around the edge-on, spiral galaxy NGC 5907. Our deep images reveal for the first time a large scale complex of arcing loops that is an excellent example of how a low-mass satellite accretion can produce a interweaved, rosette-like structure of debris dispersed in the halo of its host galaxy. The existence of this structure, which has probably survived for several Gigayears, confirms that halos of spiral galaxies in the Local Universe still contain a significant number of galactic fossils from their hierarchical formation. This edge-on spiral galaxy is located at 35 million light years away.

Keywords for this photo:

2008 - ASTRONOMY - DRACO - EDGE-ON - GALAXY - HALO - NGC 5907 - Sc - SPIRAL GALAXY - STAR - STREAM -