An Energetic Radio Galaxy
Explanation:
The radio and optical emission seen in the above superposed images of the
radio
galaxy 3C368 indicate that energetic
processes are at work. A radio
galaxy is a
galaxy
that is visible to radio telescopes. A large radio
signal usually indicates very powerful phenomena. The optical light is
shown above in red and the radio emission in blue contours. Currently, one
can only guess what causes the unusual radio and optical features.
Scientists working with the
Hubble Space Telescope
speculate
that the radio emission might have resulted from jets of high-velocity
material thrown off from the center of the galaxy, while the optical light
comes from gas and
dust
that are remnants of a burst of star formation triggered by the radio
jet.
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.
