Hubble Views Galaxy 2MASX J05210136-2521450

Hubble Views Galaxy 2MASX J05210136 2521450

Hubble Space Telescope image of a galaxy cataloged as 2MASX J05210136-2521450. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, Acknowledgment: Luca Limatola

This new image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows galaxy 2MASX J05210136-2521450.

When we look into the distant cosmos, the great majority of the objects we see are galaxies: immense gatherings of stars, planets, gas, dust, and dark matter, showing up in all kinds of shapes. This Hubble picture registers several, but the galaxy cataloged as 2MASX J05210136-2521450 stands out at a glance due to its interesting shape.

This object is an ultraluminous infrared galaxy that emits a tremendous amount of light at infrared wavelengths. Scientists connect this to intense star formation activity, triggered by a collision between two interacting galaxies.

The merging process has left its signs: 2MASX J05210136-2521450 presents a single, bright nucleus and a spectacular outer structure that consists of a one-sided extension of the inner arms, with a tidal tail heading in the opposite direction, formed from material ripped out from the merging galaxies by gravitational forces.

The image is a combination of exposures taken by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys, using near-infrared and visible light.

2 Comments on "Hubble Views Galaxy 2MASX J05210136-2521450"

  1. Peter Jackson FRAS | May 14, 2013 at 3:06 am | Reply

    According to a good-fit theoretical analysis this is simply a single galaxy with helically precessing outflows oriented towards and away the HSC.

  2. Last night i saw a planet ( star or other things) which speed is very fast like a light,
    His motion started to one star to universe,
    what is this please tell me,

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