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Credit & Copyright: Warren Keller,
Steve Mazlin, Jack Harvey, Steve Menaker
(SSRO/
UNC/PROMPT/
CTIO)
Explanation:
Spiral galaxy NGC 3169 appears to be unraveling
in
this cosmic scene, played out some 70 million light-years away
just below
bright star Regulus toward the faint constellation Sextans.
Its beautiful spiral arms are distorted into sweeping tidal
tails as NGC 3169 (top) and neighboring NGC 3166 interact
gravitationally, a common fate even
for bright galaxies in the local universe.
In fact, drawn out stellar arcs and plumes,
indications of gravitational interactions,
seem rampant in the deep and colorful
galaxy
group photo.
The picture
spans
20 arc minutes, or about 400,000 light-years
at the group's estimated distance, and includes smaller, dimmer NGC 3165
at bottom right.
NGC 3169 is also known to shine across the spectrum from
radio to X-rays,
harboring
an active galactic nucleus that is likely the
site of a supermassive black hole.
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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: interacting galaxies
Publications with words: interacting galaxies
See also: