This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image features the
galaxy cluster MACS0329-0211.
NASA, ESA, M. Postman (STScI); Image Processing: G.
Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
Looking somewhat like a swarm of bees
returning to their hive, this NASA Hubble Space Telescope image features the galaxy cluster MACS0329-0211. Galaxy clusters
like MACS0329-0211 are important signposts in the story of how the structure of
the universe evolved, and are the ultimate telescopic lenses, placing
gravitationally lensed galaxies from the earliest stages of the universe into
our view.
Zoom into this galaxy swarm and you will
find large, oval-shaped elliptical galaxies, and thin spiral and lenticular
galaxies viewed from the edge. We can also see the full, face-on view of spiral
galaxies and their curving spiral arms. The image’s upper-right quadrant holds
faint arcs of distant galaxies gravitationally lensed by the cluster’s massive
gravity. The largest of these arcs appears above the bright oval shape of a
giant elliptical galaxy. Closer inspection of the image’s center reveals several
bright-white intersecting curves that appear as a distorted figure eight. This
may be another distant galaxy whose light was magnified and distorted by this
massive cluster’s gravity.
Hubble looked at MACS0329-0211 as part of an observing program of X-ray bright galaxy clusters. Researchers used Hubble’s two main cameras, the Advanced Camera for Surveys and its Wide Field Camera 3, to gather data visible and infrared light from the cluster. Hubble’s ability to see such a broad spectrum of light makes it a valuable tool in understanding the very nature of these galaxy clusters.
No comments:
Post a Comment