Interacting galaxies NGC 5090

This is a close-up view of the double galaxy NGC 5090 (right) and NGC 5091 (left), in the southern constellation Centaurus. The first is a typical S0 galaxy with a bright diffuse centre, surrounded by a fainter envelope of stars (not resolved in this picture). However, some of the starlike objects seen in this region may be globular clusters (or dwarf galaxies) in orbit around NGC 5090. The other galaxy is of type Sa (the spiral structure is more developed) and is seen at a steep angle. The three-colour composite is based on frames obtained with KUEYEN on March 29, 1999, with the same filters and exposure times as used for ESO Press Photo eso9923. The image quality is 0.7 arcsec and the field is 90 x 90 arcsec 2. North is up and East is left.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso9923d
Type:Observation
Release date:7 April 1999
Related releases:eso9923
Size:978 x 1018 px

About the Object

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

Image Formats

Large JPEG
116.7 KB
Screensize JPEG
162.5 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
162.0 KB
1280x1024
237.9 KB
1600x1200
305.7 KB
1920x1200
332.3 KB
2048x1536
426.0 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):13 21 12.86
Position (Dec):-43° 42' 17.02"
Field of view:1.44 x 1.50 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 2.3° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
B
440 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
V
557 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
R
655 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS2