2MASXJ09133888-1019196
2MASXJ09133888-1019196 comprises two interacting galaxies that are both disturbed by gravitational interaction. The wide separation of the pair -approximately 130,000 light-years - suggests that the galaxies are just beginning to merge. Together the two galaxies form an ultraluminous infrared system, which is unusual for the early stages of an interaction. One possible explanation is that the one or both of the components have already experienced a merger or interaction. Giant black holes lurk at the cores of both galaxies, which are found in the constellation of Hydra, the Sea Serpent, about 700 million light-years away from Earth.
This image is part of a large collection of 59 images of merging galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and released on the occasion of its 18th anniversary on 24th April 2008.
Credit:NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration and A. Evans (University of Virginia, Charlottesville/NRAO/Stony Brook University)
About the Image
Id: | heic0810be |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 24 April 2008, 15:00 |
Related releases: | heic0810 |
Size: | 2887 x 2887 px |
About the Object
Name: | 2MASX J09133888-1019196 |
Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Interacting |
Distance: | 700 million light years |
Constellation: | Hydra |
Category: | Anniversary Galaxies |
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 9 13 38.79 |
Position (Dec): | -10° 19' 28.98" |
Field of view: | 2.40 x 2.40 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 78.1° left of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Optical B | 435 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical Pseudogreen (B+I) |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS | |
Infrared I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |