NGC 6872: A Stretched Spiral
Explanation:
What makes NGC 6872 so long? Measuring over
700,000 light years across from top to bottom,
NGC 6872 is one of the largest
barred spiral galaxies known.
The galaxy's elongated shape might have
something to do with its continuing
collision
with the smaller galaxy IC 4970,
visible just above center.
Of particular interest is NGC 6872's spiral arm on the upper left, as
pictured above, which
exhibits an unusually high amount of
blue star forming regions.
The light we see today left these colliding giants
before the
days of the dinosaurs, about 300 million years ago.
NGC 6872 is visible with a small
telescope in the
constellation of
Pavo.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
