Hubble image archive
Hubble Interacting Galaxy NGC 1614
The galaxy system NGC 1614 has a bright optical center and two clear inner spiral arms that are fairly symmetrical. It also has a spectacular outer structure that consists principally of a large one-sided curved extension of one of these arms to the lower right, and a long, almos...
- Date
- Jan 1, 2008
- Mission
- Hubble Space Telescope
- Archive ID
- hubblesite-images-2008-16-2302-image
The galaxy system NGC 1614 has a bright optical center and two clear inner spiral arms that are fairly symmetrical. It also has a spectacular outer structure that consists principally of a large one-sided curved extension of one of these arms to the lower right, and a long, almost straight tail that emerges from the nucleus and crosses the extended arm to the upper right. The galaxy appears to be the result of a tidal interaction and the resulting merger of two predecessor systems. The system has a nuclear region of quasar-like luminosity, but shows no direct evidence for an active nucleus. It is heavily and unevenly reddened across its nucleus, while infrared imaging also shows a ridge of dust. The linear tail to the upper right and extended arms to the lower right are likely the remains of an interacting companion and the tidal plume(s) caused by the collision. NGC 1614 is located about 200 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Eridanus, the River.
This image is part of a large collection of 59 images of merging galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and released on the occasion of its 18th anniversary on 24th April 2008.
Credits
NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration, and A. Evans (University of Virginia, Charlottesville/NRAO/Stony Brook University)Image Details
| About The Object | |
|---|---|
| Object Name | NGC 1614, Arp 186, Mrk 0617, II Zw 015 |
| Object Description | Interacting Galaxies |
| R.A. Position | 04h 33m 59.98s |
| Dec. Position | -8° 34' 42.8" |
| Constellation | Eridanus |
| Distance | 200 million light-years (50 million parsecs) |
| About The Data | |
| Data Description | HST Proposal: A. Evans (University of Virginia, Charlottesville/NRAO/Stony Brook University) |
| Instrument | HST>ACS/WFC |
| Exposure Dates | August 13, 2002, Exposure Time: 33 minutes |
| Filters | F435W (B) and F814W (I) |
More Images From This Period
Downloads
Source
Image and source material are credited to the official mission archive linked below.
View on NASA.gov