Intracluster light in Abell S1063
Abell S1063, a galaxy cluster, was observed by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope as part of the Frontier Fields programme. The huge mass of the cluster — containing both baryonic matter and dark matter — acts as cosmic magnification glass and deforms objects behind it. In the past astronomers used this gravitational lensing effect to calculate the distribution of dark matter in galaxy clusters.
A more accurate and faster way, however, is to study the intracluster light (visible in blue), which follows the distribution of dark matter.
NASA, ESA, and M. Montes (University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia)
About the Image
| Id: | heic1820a |
|---|---|
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 20 December 2018, 16:00 |
| Related releases: | heic1820 |
| Size: | 3213 x 3600 px |
About the Object
| Name: | Abell S1063 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Early Universe : Galaxy : Grouping : Cluster |
| Constellation: | Grus |
| Category: | Galaxies |
Classic Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 22 48 44.44 |
|---|---|
| Position (Dec): | -44° 31' 48.21" |
| Field of view: | 2.08 x 2.33 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 7.3° right of vertical |
View in ESASky:
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Optical B | 435 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
| Optical V | 606 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
| Optical I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
| Infrared Z | 1.05 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Infrared H | 1.6 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Infrared J | 1.25 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
| Infrared J/H | 1.4 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |