Unusual Gas Filaments Surround Galaxy NGC 1275
Explanation:
How were the unusual gas filaments surrounding galaxy NGC 1275 created?
No one is sure. Galaxy NGC 1275 is the
central dominant galaxy of the
Perseus Cluster of Galaxies,
a cluster with many member galaxies visible in the above image.
In visible light,
NGC 1275 appears to show a
spectacular collision between two distinct galaxies.
The galaxy and cluster are also bright emitters of
X-rays.
The unusual gas filaments are shown above in a very
specific color of light emitted by
hydrogen, here artificially colored pink.
Possible origins for the filaments may involve details of the collision between
the two galaxies, or alternatively, interactions between a
galactic center black hole and the surrounding
intracluster gas.
NGC 1275,
pictured above, spans about 100,000
light years and lies about 230 million light years distant toward the
constellation of
Perseus.
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.
