Hubble image archive

Hubble Interacting Galaxy 2MASX J09133888-1019196

Date: Jan 1, 2008
Mission: Hubble Space Telescope
Archive ID: hubblesite-images-2008-16-2304-image

By Kakha Giorgashvili January 1, 2008

2MASX J09133888-1019196 comprises two interacting galaxies that are both disturbed by gravitational interaction. The wide separation of the pair - approximately 130,000 light-years - suggests that the galaxies are just beginning to merge. Together the two galaxies form an ultra-luminous infrared system, which is unusual for the early stages of an interaction. One possible explanation is that the one or both of the components have already experienced a merger or interaction. Giant black holes lurk at the cores of both galaxies, which are found in the constellation of Hydra, the Sea Serpent, about 700 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	2MASX J09133888-1019196, IRAS F09111-1007
Object Description	Interacting Galaxies
R.A. Position	09h 13m 39.0s
Dec. Position	-10° 19' 20.3"
Constellation	Hydra
Distance	700 million light-years (200 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	October 31, 2001, Exposure Time: 33 minutes
Filters	F435W (B) and F814W (I)