Posted on 12/18/2012 6:58:33 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Why does this galaxy have so many big black holes? No one is sure. What is sure is that NGC 922 is a ring galaxy created by the collision of a large and small galaxy about 300 million years ago. Like a rock thrown into a pond, the ancient collision sent ripples of high density gas out from the impact point near the center that partly condensed into stars. Pictured above is NGC 922 with its beautifully complex ring along the left side, as imaged recently by the Hubble Space Telescope. Observations of NGC 922 with the Chandra X-ray Observatory, however, show several glowing X-ray knots that are likely large black holes. The high number of massive black holes was somewhat surprising as the gas composition in NGC 922 -- rich in heavy elements -- should have discouraged almost anything so massive from forming. Research is sure to continue. NGC 922 spans about 75,000 light years, lies about 150 million light years away, and can be seen with a small telescope toward the constellation of the furnace (Fornax).
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
My apologies for the delay, I have been booked up solid these past few days.
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Looks like a peperoni pizza!
Thanks for posting! It looks as if the two galaxies are merging into a larger one, IMHO.
Kinda like ours. I’m glad the fella who made it was thoughtful enough to give us a heliopause, magnetic field and atmosphere to keep the nasty stuff out.
That’s what I usually think when the galaxies shown are so chaotic. Perhaps there are life protectors on its planets as there are here.
And hi, stranger! Nice to see you.
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