Posted on 08/24/2022 3:28:17 PM PDT by MtnClimber
Explanation: To some, it looks like a wheel of a cart. In fact, because of its outward appearance, the presence of a central galaxy, and its connection with what looks like the spokes of a wheel, the galaxy on the right is known as the Cartwheel Galaxy. To others, however, it looks like a complicated interaction between galaxies awaiting explanation. Along with the two galaxies on the left, the Cartwheel is part of a group of galaxies about 500 million light years away in the constellation Sculptor. The large galaxy's rim spans over 100,000 light years and is composed of star forming regions filled with extremely bright and massive stars. The Cartwheel's ring-like shape is the result of gravitational disruption caused by a smaller galaxy passing through a large one, compressing the interstellar gas and dust and causing a star formation wave to move out like a ripple across the surface of a pond. The featured recent image of the Cartwheel Galaxy by the Webb Space Telescope reveals new details not only about where stars are forming, but also about activity near the galaxy's central black hole.
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.
Thanks for the post.
Da galaxy, it be goin’”Wheeeeeeeeeeee”! Dis be FUN! :-)
I can’t even imagine the amount of energy at play that pushed most of that galaxy’s stars out to the rim like that. A supernova would be firecracker in comparison.
Looks like a pastry with some creamy filling in the center.
Looking at that and all the other galaxies behind it that look like little smudges, makes one realize how insignificant we are... and puts all our problems in the proper perspective.
But it also makes one realize that as insignificant as we are, we are the only entity in our solar system, and perhaps our corner of the galaxy, aware that those things exist and have a rudimentary understanding of what they are.
Perhaps we’re not all that insignificant?
Counterclockwise rotation. It must be in the northern hemisphere. /s
Wow! All three of them are spectacular.
Thar big pic looks like its some blood sucker you’d find in the ocean.
Thar big pic looks like its some blood sucker you’d find in the ocean.
Of course, I had to go looking for The Big Picture:
Look like galactic jellyfish to me.
Wow, spectacular
It looks like something you get at a donut shop.
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