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Freethought & Rationalism ArchiveThe archives are read only. |
09-06-2002, 10:00 AM
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#1 |
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Veteran Member
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What kind of galaxy is this?
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/space/09/06/hubble.pinwheel/index.html" target="_blank">cnn</a>
Here's a cool picture of a very odd looking galaxy. |
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09-06-2002, 10:24 AM
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#2 |
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Location: Pasadena, CA, USA
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The galaxy, known as Hoag's Object is an example of a class of galaxies called ring galaxies. Ring galaxies are probably the result of a "bull's eye" type of collision between galaxies. <a href="http://heritage.stsci.edu/2002/21/index.html" target="_blank">Hoag's Object</a> is this month's featured release from the <a href="http://heritage.stsci.edu/" target="_blank">Hubble Heritage Project</a> (and an <a href="http://heritage.stsci.edu/2002/21/table.html" target="_blank">explanation</a> is included). The <a href="http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/PR/95/02.html" target="_blank">Cartwheel Galaxy</a> is another example of the same kind of collision. And the "<a href="http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/PR/97/34/" target="_blank">Rat's Tails</a>" show an example of a more "ordinary" galaxy collision.
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09-06-2002, 10:53 AM
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#3 |
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Location: I've left FRDB for good, due to new WI&P policy
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Hmmm.... might be a doable object for an amateur 'scope. Here's the field of view (11 arc min) my telescope and CCD camera would see at prime focus (from the Palomar Observatory Digitized Sky Survey):
<a href="http://thekindbud.com/hoag_object_red.gif" target="_blank">Red light image</a> <a href="http://thekindbud.com/hoag_object_blue.gif" target="_blank">Blue light image</a> It's tiny. Maybe 2 arc. min. in diameter. I'd count myself lucky if I got an image showing the yellow core and the blue ring. The Hubble image was made with the older WFPC2 camera, not the new Advanced Camera for Surveys. The ACS would be able to take an image showing a lot more detail. Those very tiny galaxies visible in the background through the circular void are fascinating. The brightest one peeking through the void in the ring looks to be another face-on ring galaxy! Look at the larger image at the Hubble Heritage site. Way cool. [ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: Kind Bud ]</p> |
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09-06-2002, 03:16 PM
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#4 |
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That is easily one of the coolest things I've ever seen!
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09-06-2002, 08:26 PM
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#5 |
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It looks vaguely artificial.
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