The Green Bean galaxy J2240

This view from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope shows thousands of galaxies in the distant Universe. But the one close to the centre looks very odd — it is bright green. This very unusual object is known as J224024.1−092748 or J2240 and it is a bright example of a new class of objects that have been nicknamed green bean galaxies. Green beans are entire galaxies that are glowing under the intense radiation from the region around a central black hole. J2240 lies in the constellation of Aquarius (The Water Bearer) and its light has taken about 3.7 billion years to reach Earth.

Credit:

CFHT/ESO/M. Schirmer

About the Image

Id:eso1249a
Type:Observation
Release date:5 December 2012, 12:00
Related releases:eso1249
Size:1916 x 1916 px

About the Object

Name:Green Bean Galaxy, J2240, J224024.1−092748
Type:Early Universe : Galaxy : Activity : AGN
Distance:z=0.326 (redshift)
Constellation:Aquarius
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
1.4 MB
Screensize JPEG
235.3 KB

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Coordinates

Position (RA):22 40 24.21
Position (Dec):-9° 27' 48.19"
Field of view:5.94 x 5.94 arcminutes
Orientation:North is -0.0° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
g
475 nmCFHT
MegaCam
Optical
r
640 nmCFHT
MegaCam
Infrared
i
776 nmCFHT
MegaCam