Galaxy pair NGC 5090 and NGC 5091

A pair of galaxies NGC 5090 - 5091 in Centaurus is shown in this image. They are located at about the same distance as ESO 269-57 and may belong to the same cluster of galaxies. This is an interacting elliptical-spiral system with some evidence of tidal disruption of NGC 5091 (to the left; seen under a steep angle) by NGC 5090 (to the right). The velocity of the nucleus of NGC 5091 has been measured as 3429 km/sec, while NGC 5090 has a velocity of 3185 km/sec. NGC 5090 is associated with a strong, double radio source (PKS 1318-43). This three-colour composite (BVR) was obtained with VLT ANTU and FORS1 in the morning of March 29, 1999. A bright star in the Milky Way, just outside the field at the upper left, has produced a pattern of blue straylight. The field size is 6.8x6.8 arcmin 2. North is up and East is to the left.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso9924d
Type:Observation
Release date:30 April 1999
Related releases:eso9924
Size:2045 x 2037 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 5090, NGC 5091
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral
Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Elliptical
Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Interacting
Distance:150 million light years
Constellation:Centaurus
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
1.2 MB
Screensize JPEG
162.9 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
184.0 KB
1280x1024
321.4 KB
1600x1200
528.2 KB
1920x1200
725.6 KB
2048x1536
1.0 MB

Coordinates

Position (RA):13 21 18.62
Position (Dec):-43° 43' 23.98"
Field of view:6.81 x 6.78 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.1° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical
B
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
V
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
R
Very Large Telescope
FORS1