A compact group of five galaxies has been snapped in new three-dimensional images to reveal different types of intergalactic star formation.
Known as Stephan’s Quintet, these well-studied galaxies are in the constellation of Pegasus, and comprise four galaxies that are visually very close together at around 300 million light-years away plus a fifth one, NGC 7320, which is only 50 million light-years away from Earth.
These shots were taken by the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii using specialized filters on its Prime Focus Camera (Suprime-Cam).
Two galaxies, NGC 7318A and NGC 7318B, are shedding gas due to a crash while another, NGC 7319, is colliding to produce shock waves that cause star formation.
Gas from these three galaxies is ionized by ultraviolet radiation from the new stars and by shock waves, emitting bright light. Astronomers believe that NGC 7319 and NGC 7318A/B are driving the star formation around the latter.
Known as Stephan’s Quintet, these well-studied galaxies are in the constellation of Pegasus, and comprise four galaxies that are visually very close together at around 300 million light-years away plus a fifth one, NGC 7320, which is only 50 million light-years away from Earth.
These shots were taken by the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii using specialized filters on its Prime Focus Camera (Suprime-Cam).
Two galaxies, NGC 7318A and NGC 7318B, are shedding gas due to a crash while another, NGC 7319, is colliding to produce shock waves that cause star formation.
Gas from these three galaxies is ionized by ultraviolet radiation from the new stars and by shock waves, emitting bright light. Astronomers believe that NGC 7319 and NGC 7318A/B are driving the star formation around the latter.
