Hubble image archive
Hubble Interacting Galaxy ESO 550-2
ESO 550-2 shows a pair of spiral galaxies, the larger nearly face-on and accompanied by a smaller, highly tilted partner. Tidal interaction from the smaller companion has clearly deformed one arm of the larger galaxy. Strong star formation continues both in the deformed arm and i...
- Date
- Jan 1, 2008
- Mission
- Hubble Space Telescope
- Archive ID
- hubblesite-images-2008-16-2284-image
ESO 550-2 shows a pair of spiral galaxies, the larger nearly face-on and accompanied by a smaller, highly tilted partner. Tidal interaction from the smaller companion has clearly deformed one arm of the larger galaxy. Strong star formation continues both in the deformed arm and in a ring structure around the galaxy's core. The pair is surrounded by the glow of faintly shining stars and interstellar matter that has been smeared through space by the gravitational effects of the collision and the pull of a third nearby galaxy.
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 | ESO 550-2, ESO 550-IG02 |
| Object Description | Interacting Galaxies |
| R.A. Position | 04h 21m 20.2s |
| Dec. Position | -18° 48' 47.3" |
| Constellation | Eridanus |
| Distance | 400 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 | August 30, 2002, Exposure Time: 33 minutes |
| Filters | F435W (B) and F814W (I) |
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Image and source material are credited to the official mission archive linked below.
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