X-rays, dark matter and galaxies in the cluster Abell 2744

This image combines visible light exposures of galaxy cluster Abell 2744 taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, with X-ray data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and a mathematical reconstruction of the location of dark matter.

The galaxies in the cluster, while they are the only part that is visible in the optical part of the spectrum, actually only provide around 5% of the mass in the cluster.

Hot intracluster gas (shown in pink, and responsible for around 20% of the mass in the cluster) is visible through its X-ray emissions, observed by NASA’s Chandra satellite.

The blue overlay shows a map of the mass in the cluster. This is reconstructed based on detailed analysis of the way that the cluster bends light from galaxies in the distant background. Evidence of this light bending can be seen in arc-like distortions in parts of this image. Since dark matter makes up the lion’s share of mass in the cluster — around 75% — this blue overlay reveals the location of the otherwise invisible dark matter.

Analysis of this data has allowed scientists to observe some strange phenomena in Abell 2744, including a pocket of dark matter with no gas or galaxies, and a clump of galaxies with no associated gas. Astronomers believe that Abell 2744 formed from the simultaneous pile-up of at least four separate clusters.

Credit:

NASA, ESA, ESO, CXC & D. Coe (STScI)/J. Merten (Heidelberg/Bologna)

About the Image

Id:eso1120a
Type:Observation
Release date:22 June 2011, 15:00
Related releases:eso1120
Size:8068 x 8067 px

About the Object

Name:Abell 2744
Type:Early Universe : Galaxy : Grouping : Cluster
Distance:z=0.308 (redshift)
Constellation:Sculptor
Category:Galaxy Clusters

Image Formats

Large JPEG
9.8 MB
Screensize JPEG
207.0 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x768
207.7 KB
1280x1024
319.2 KB
1600x1200
442.1 KB
1920x1200
503.2 KB
2048x1536
686.9 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):0 14 20.41
Position (Dec):-30° 23' 56.72"
Field of view:6.70 x 6.70 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.1° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
V
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
B
435 nmHubble Space Telescope
ACS
Optical
R
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
V
606 nmHubble Space Telescope
ACS
Infrared
I
Very Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
I
814 nmHubble Space Telescope
ACS
X-rayChandra X-ray Observatory