Atoms-for-Peace: a galactic collision in action*

This new image shows the results of a vast collision between two galaxies. This strange object is known as NGC 7252, or Arp 226, and has the odd nickname Atoms-for-Peace. The picture was taken by the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. It is a combination of exposures taken through blue and red filters, for a total exposure time of more than four hours. The field of view is about 18 arcminutes across.

 

This image is available as a mounted image in the ESOshop.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso1044a
Type:Observation
Release date:10 November 2010, 12:00
Related releases:eso1044
Size:4473 x 4536 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 7252
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Interacting
Distance:220 million light years
Constellation:Aquarius
Category:Galaxies

Mounted Image

Image Formats

Large JPEG
7.1 MB
Screensize JPEG
276.0 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x768
226.2 KB
1280x1024
354.4 KB
1600x1200
502.6 KB
1920x1200
608.8 KB
2048x1536
837.2 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):22 20 42.06
Position (Dec):-24° 39' 54.56"
Field of view:17.74 x 17.99 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 1.6° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical
B
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Optical
R
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI