Quasar HE 1013-2136 with tidal tails

This photograph shows an image of the Quasar HE 1013-2136 (center) and its surroundings sharpened with a computer algorithm to bring out more details in the immediate neighbourhood of the quasar. Now numerous details can be recognized within the two tidal tails, including various knotty structures. In particular, a very close companion galaxy at 20,000 light-years projected distance to the quasar can now be seen (at the 5 o''clock position) that may be in gravitational interaction with the quasar host galaxy. Quasar activity is believed to be triggered by such dramatic events.

Technical information: this image has been processed by applying the Lucy algorithm with 15 iterations. The field shown measures 33 x 33 arcsec 2, or 540,000 x 540,000 light-years 2 projected at the distance of the quasar; 1 pixel = 0.2 arcsec. North is up and East is left.