Posted on 03/20/2024 1:45:39 PM PDT by MtnClimber
Explanation: Across the heart of the Virgo Galaxy Cluster lies a string of galaxies known as Markarian's Chain. Prominent in Markarian's Chain are these two interacting galaxies, NGC 4438 (left) and NGC 4435 - also known as The Eyes. About 50 million light-years away, the two galaxies appear to be about 100,000 light-years apart in this sharp close-up, but have likely approached to within an estimated 16,000 light-years of each other in their cosmic past. Gravitational tides from the close encounter have ripped away at their stars, gas, and dust. The more massive NGC 4438 managed to hold on to much of the material torn out in the collision, while material from the smaller NGC 4435 was more easily lost. The remarkably deep image of this crowded region of the universe also includes many more distant background galaxies.
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.
My eyes adored you
Though I never laid a hand on you
My eyes adored you
Like a million miles away from me, you couldn’t see
How I adored you
So close, so close
And yet so far
I’m repeating myself, but Sky & Telescope issues from the 1960’s onward labeled the galaxy dense region within the Y shaped “arms” of Virgo the “Realm of Galaxies”. This is one of those terms that made the concept of deep space even more mysterious to me in childhood, I would almost get dizzy pondering this.
I will never tire of seeing new things with my telescope. I still have to complete my Messier List. Now I’m trying to get into astrophotography, I have that to keep me busy. It’s not something I’m going to get the hang of overnight.
And it’s unlikely you’ll run out of amazing objects in the sky to photograph anytime soon, either!
A flying Easter Egg!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.