How do galaxies grow?

Composite colour-image of the brightest galaxies in four groups located about 4 billion light-years away. The galaxies are ordered in increasing stellar mass, i.e. a rough time sequence. The brightest galaxies in group 1 and 2 both have obvious bright, gravitationally bound companions. Further images obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope shows that the brightest galaxy in group 3 has a double nucleus. Thus, these galaxies are currently in the process of merging. This discovery provides unique and powerful validation of hierarchical formation as manifested in both galaxy and cluster assembly.

Crediti:

ESO

Riguardo l'immagine

Identificazione:eso0824a
Tipo:Collage
Data di rilascio:26 Agosto 2008
Notizie relative:eso0824
Grandezza:1646 x 408 px

Riguardo all'oggetto

Nome:Galaxies
Tipo:Early Universe : Galaxy : Type : Interacting
Categoria:Galaxies

Formati delle immagini

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