Photo Agency - Astronomy - Space - Nature

> Interacting galaxies Arp 148

Interacting galaxies Arp 148

author: Nasa/Esa/Hubble Heritage Team/Novapix

reference: a-gax95-00500

Image Size 300 DPI: 9 * 9 cm

Arp 148 is the staggering aftermath of an encounter between two galaxies, resulting in a ring-shaped galaxy and a long-tailed companion. The collision between the two parent galaxies produced a shockwave effect that first drew matter into the center and then caused it to propagate outwards in a ring. The elongated companion perpendicular to the ring suggests that Arp 148 is a unique snapshot of an ongoing collision. Infrared observations reveal a strong obscuration region that appears as a dark dust lane across the nucleus in optical light. Arp 148 is nicknamed Mayall s object and is located in the constellation of Ursa Major, the Great Bear, approximately 500 million light-years away.

Keywords for this photo:

2008 - ARP 148 - ASTRONOMY - COLLISION - GALAXY - HST - HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - INTERACTING - PECULIAR GALAXY - STAR - URSA MAJOR -