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Credit & Copyright: W. Keel and A. Zasov
(University of Alabama)
Explanation:
The Sleeping Beauty galaxy
may appear peaceful at first sight but it is actually tossing
and turning.
In an unexpected twist, recent observations have
shown that the center of this
photogenic galaxy
is rotating in the opposite direction than the outer regions!
Stranger still - there is a middle region where the stars rotate
in the opposite direction from the surrounding
dust and gas.
The fascinating internal motions of
M64,
also cataloged as NGC 4826, are thought to be the result of a
collision
between a small galaxy
and a large galaxy where the resultant
mix has not yet settled down.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: M 64
Publications with words: M 64
See also: