Image: A strange ring galaxy

Image: A strange ring galaxy
Image Credit: NASA, R. Lucas (STScI/AURA)

(PhysOrg.com) -- Is this one galaxy or two? Astronomer Art Hoag first asked this question when he chanced upon this unusual extragalactic object.

On the outside is a ring dominated by bright blue stars, while near the center lies a ball of much redder stars that are likely much older. Between the two is a gap that appears almost completely dark.

How Hoag's Object formed remains unknown, although similar objects have been identified and collectively labeled as a form of ring galaxy. Genesis include a galaxy collision billions of years ago and the gravitational effect of a central bar that has since vanished.

This image, taken by the in July 2001, reveals unprecedented details of Hoag's Object and may yield a better understanding.

Hoag's Object spans about 100,000 light years and lies about 600 million light years away toward the of the Snake (Serpens). Coincidentally, visible in the gap (at about one o'clock) is yet another ring galaxy that likely lies far in the distance.

Provided by JPL/NASA

Citation: Image: A strange ring galaxy (2010, August 27) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2010-08-image-strange-galaxy.html
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