Distorted galaxy NGC 2442
May 13, 2009
The distorted galaxy NGC 2442, also known as the Meathook Galaxy, is located some 50 million light-years away in the constellation of Volans (the Flying Fish). The galaxy is 75 000 light-years wide and features two dusty spiral arms extending from a pronounced central bar that give it a hook-like appearance, hence its nickname. The galaxy's distorted shape is most likely the result of a close encounter with a smaller, unseen galaxy.
This image is based on data acquired with the 1.5-metre Danish telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile, through three filters (B: 250 s, V: 187 s, R: 150 s).
This image is based on data acquired with the 1.5-metre Danish telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile, through three filters (B: 250 s, V: 187 s, R: 150 s).
Topics:
Technology Internet, Large-scale structure of the cosmos, Extragalactic astronomy, Astronomy, ESO's La Silla Observatory, Chile, Fornax constellation, Interacting galaxies, Canes Venatici constellation, NGC, Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies, Barred spiral galaxies, Spiral galaxies
