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Credit & Copyright: ACS
Science & Engineering Team,
NASA
Explanation:
In
this
stunning vista
recorded with the Hubble Space Telescope's new
advanced camera,
distant galaxies form a dramatic backdrop
for disrupted spiral
galaxy
Arp 188, the Tadpole Galaxy.
The cosmic Tadpole
is a mere 420 million light-years distant toward the
northern constellation
Draco.
Its eye-catching tail is about 280 thousand
light-years long and features massive, bright
blue star clusters.
One
story goes
that a more compact intruder galaxy crossed in front
of Arp
188 - from left to right in this view - and was
slung
around behind the Tadpole by their gravitational attraction.
During the
close encounter,
tidal forces drew out the
spiral
galaxy's stars, gas, and dust forming the spectacular tail.
The intruder galaxy itself, estimated to
lie about 300 thousand light-years behind the Tadpole,
can be seen through foreground spiral arms at the upper left.
Following
its terrestrial namesake,
the Tadpole Galaxy will likely
loose its tail as it grows older, the tail's star clusters
forming smaller satellites of the large spiral galaxy.
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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: Arp 188 - HST
Publications with words: Arp 188 - HST
See also: