Hubble image archive

Hubble Interacting Galaxy UGC 5101

Date: Jan 1, 2008
Mission: Hubble Space Telescope
Archive ID: hubblesite-images-2008-16-2301-image

By Kakha Giorgashvili January 1, 2008

UGC 5101 is a peculiar galaxy with a single nucleus contained within an unstructured main body that suggests a recent interaction and merger. UGC 5101 is thought to contain an active galactic nucleus an extremely bright, compact core - buried deep in the gas and dust. A pronounced tail extends diagonally to the top-right of the frame. A fainter halo of stars surrounds the galaxy and is visible in the image, due to Hubble s ability to collect and detect faint light. This halo is probably a result of the earlier collision. UGC 5101 is about 550 million light-years away from Earth.

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	UGC 5101
Object Description	Interacting Galaxies
R.A. Position	09h 35m 51.67s
Dec. Position	61° 21' 14.0"
Constellation	Ursa Major
Distance	500 million light-years (150 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	January 28, 2002, Exposure Time: 38 minutes
Filters	F435W (B) and F814W (I)