« ... 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 ... »

Hubble Interacting Galaxy UGC 5101

NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration, and A. Evans (University of Virginia, Charlottesville/NRAO/Stony Brook University) · Download full size image

UGC 5101 is a peculiar galaxy with a single nucleus contained within an unstructured main body that suggests a recent interaction and merger. UGC 5101 is thought to contain an active galactic nucleus an extremely bright, compact core - buried deep in the gas and dust. A pronounced tail extends diagonally to the top-right of the frame. A fainter halo of stars surrounds the galaxy and is visible in the image, due to Hubble s ability to collect and detect faint light. This halo is probably a result of the earlier collision. UGC 5101 is about 550 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. Posted on: 08 May, 2008