NGC 7714: Starburst after Galaxy Collision
Explanation:
Is this galaxy jumping through a
giant ring of stars?
Probably not.
Although the precise
dynamics behind
the featured image is yet unclear, what is clear is that the pictured galaxy,
NGC 7714,
has been stretched and distorted by a recent collision with a neighboring galaxy.
This smaller neighbor,
NGC 7715,
situated off to the left of the featured frame, is thought to have charged right
through
NGC 7714.
Observations indicate that the golden
ring pictured is composed of millions of older Sun-like stars
that are likely co-moving with the interior bluer stars.
In contrast, the bright center of
NGC 7714
appears to be undergoing a burst of new star formation.
The
featured image
was captured by the
Hubble Space Telescope.
NGC 7714 is located about 130 million
light
years
away toward the constellation of the Two Fish
(Pisces).
The
interactions between these galaxies
likely started about 150 million
years ago
and should continue for several hundred million
years more,
after which a
single central galaxy may result.
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.
