Posted on 01/26/2021 2:54:52 PM PST by MtnClimber
Explanation: How did this strange-looking galaxy form? Astronomers turn detectives when trying to figure out the cause of unusual jumbles of stars, gas, and dust like NGC 1316. Inspection indicates that NGC 1316 is an enormous elliptical galaxy that somehow includes dark dust lanes usually found in a spiral galaxy. Detailed images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope shows details, however, that help in reconstructing the history of this gigantic tangle. Deep and wide images show huge collisional shells, while deep central images reveal fewer globular clusters of stars toward NGC 1316's interior. Such effects are expected in galaxies that have undergone collisions or merging with other galaxies in the past few billion years. The dark knots and lanes of dust, prominent in the featured image, indicate that one or more of the devoured galaxies were spiral galaxies. NGC 1316 spans about 50,000 light years and lies about 60 million light years away toward the constellation of the Furnace (Fornax).
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then zoom by moving the magnifying glass over an area and then clicking. The side bars will move the zoomed area over the photograph.
There is a jumble of cats to be found in one of the links in the explanation of today's APOD.
Whenever I find myself getting bogged down by all the evil in the world today (including in this country), images like this one show that there’s something (or Someone) much, much bigger out there. It brings comfort. Thanks for posting.
^ ^
The insurance payoff will be galactic.
Maybe. It’s kind of a nebulous area of the law.
You must work for NASA!
I have done work for NASA...........................thru my employer.......................
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