Check out this incredible Hubble photograph of the Jellyfish Galaxy JO206.
Illuminated by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, the Jellyfish Galaxy JO206 unveils its vibrant star-forming disc amidst a soft-glowing dust cloud. Captured in the distant Aquarius constellation, this galaxy, positioned more than 700 million light-years away, offers an astounding view. Within the image’s lower quadrant, a handful of radiant stars leave a lasting impression against a pitch-black canvas.
JO206, the captivating subject of this image, marks the conclusion of a series featuring peculiar, jellyfish-like galaxies, adding to Hubble’s exceptional catalogue of cosmic observations.
Jellyfish Galaxies: An Intriguing Phenomenon
The title “jellyfish galaxies” stems from their uncanny resemblance to the aquatic creature. In JO206’s image, a trail of effervescent star formation, akin to jellyfish tentacles, streams from the disc towards the image’s lower right. These unique tendrils are forged through interactions between galaxies and the intra-cluster medium – a sparse superheated plasma that pervades galaxy clusters. This dynamic interplay strips gas from the galaxies, sculpting these star-forming tendrils.
Unlocking Secrets of Star Formation in Extreme Conditions
The tentacles trailing from jellyfish galaxies offer astronomers an extraordinary chance to observe star formation under harsh conditions, far removed from the main galaxy disc’s influence. Intriguingly, Hubble’s data unveils negligible differences between star formation in the jellyfish galaxies’ discs and their tentacles. This finding suggests that the environment of newborn stars mildly influences their creation process.
An Unforgettable Cosmic Portrait by Hubble
Hubble’s snapshot reveals a partially tilted spiral galaxy. Its vibrant inner disc sparkles with vivid blue and red spots – signs of active star formation within its arms. Encircling it is a fainter, dust-filled outer disc. Numerous arms stretch out from the disc, extending towards the lower right into faint trails that criss-cross the image. Set against a predominantly empty, dark backdrop, three radiant stars punctuate the cosmic scene.
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