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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня "Глаза" в цепочке галактик Маркаряна http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1923488/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Mike Selby
Explanation:
Across the heart of the
Virgo Galaxy Cluster lies
a string of galaxies known as
Markarian's Chain.
Prominent in
Markarian's Chain are these two
interacting galaxies,
NGC 4438 (left) and NGC 4435 - also known as The Eyes.
About 50 million
light-years away, the two
galaxies appear to be about 100,000 light-years apart in
this sharp close-up, but have likely approached
to within an estimated 16,000 light-years of each other in their
cosmic past.
Gravitational tides from
the close encounter have ripped away at
their stars, gas, and dust.
The more massive NGC 4438 managed to hold on
to much of the material torn out in the
collision,
while material from the smaller NGC 4435 was more
easily lost.
The remarkably deep image of this crowded region
of the universe also
includes many more
distant background galaxies.
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.