A dwarf in the Fornax cluster

In this dazzling image, the galaxy NGC 1427A is seen as it travels through the Fornax cluster of galaxies, to which it belongs. NGC 1427A is an example of a dwarf irregular galaxy, a type of galaxy that is significantly less bright than regular galaxies and characterised by a peculiar shape. In this particular case, the shape of the galaxy has been forged by its rapid, upwards motion through the cluster: with a speed of two million kilometres per hour relative to the cluster, NCG 1427A is being torn apart and will eventually be disrupted.

The interaction with the Fornax cluster has led to the birth of many stars, seen here as a boomerang-shaped region of young, glowing stars in the galaxy. NGC 1427A exhibits a striking resemblance to one of our galactic neighbours, the Large Magellanic Cloud, which has undergone similar episodes of star formation, triggered by its interaction with the Milky Way.

This image has been obtained using the FORS instrument mounted on one of the 8.2-metre telescopes of ESO’s Very Large Telescope on top of Cerro Paranal, Chile. It combines data acquired through four broadband filters (U, B, V, I) and a narrowband one (H-alpha). 

North is on the left and West is up. The field of view is 7 arcminutes.

Créditos:

ESO

Sobre a imagem

Id:potw1008a
Tipo:Observação
Data de divulgação:22 de Fevereiro de 2010 às 10:00
Tamanho:1927 x 1935 px

Sobre o objeto

Nome:NGC 1427A
Tipo:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Irregular
Local Universe : Galaxy : Size : Dwarf
Distância:65 milhão anos-luz
Constellation:Eridanus
Categoria:Galaxies

Formatos de imagens

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Coordenadas

Position (RA):3 40 9.36
Position (Dec):-35° 37' 27.97"
Field of view:6.44 x 6.47 arcminutes
Orientação:O norte está a 89.9° à esquerda da vertical

Cores e filtros

BandaTelescópio
Óptico
B
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Óptico
V
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Infravermelho
I
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Óptico
H-alpha
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Ultravioleta
U
Very Large Telescope
FORS1