Quasar HE 1013-2136 with tidal tails

This photograph shows an image of the Quasar HE 1013-2136 (center) and its surroundings, as obtained with the FORS2 multi-mode instrument at the 8.2-m VLT KUEYEN telescope in February 2001. A spectacular arc-like tidal tail stretches from the quasar towards south-east (lower-left) over a distance of more than 150,000 light-years. Another, shorter tidal tail towards the east-northeast is barely visible.

Technical information: this image is based on an image that was obtained in the morning of February 26, 2001 with the FORS2 instrument on VLT KUEYEN. It is composed of eight exposures in the I-band filter (effective wavelength 768 nm; FWHM 138 nm), lasting a total of 32 min. The combined image has a FWHM of 0.6 arcsec. 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.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0122a
Type:Observation
Release date:31 May 2001
Related releases:eso0122
Size:782 x 787 px

About the Object

Name:HE 1013-2136
Type:Unspecified : Galaxy : Activity : AGN : Quasar
Distance:z=0.785 (redshift)
Constellation:Hydra
Category:Quasars and Black Holes

Image Formats

Large JPEG
326.4 KB
Screensize JPEG
373.8 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
361.5 KB
1280x1024
507.9 KB
1600x1200
613.4 KB
1920x1200
631.1 KB
2048x1536
817.8 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):10 15 52.38
Position (Dec):-21° 51' 55.90"
Field of view:0.56 x 0.57 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.0° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Infrared
I
768 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS2