NASA has recently captured a monster galaxy, but it is not the monster that you are imagining. It is a galaxy cluster roughly eight billion light-years from Earth.

 
Intriguing? Yes, it is! Let’s find out more about it.  

ESA Hubble Captures Monster Galaxy that is Merging to Form a Massive Gravitational Lens

In this view of the extraordinary galaxy cluster eMACS J1353.7+4329, which resides roughly eight billion light-years from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a monster in the making. This collection of at least two galaxy clusters is merging to become a cosmic monster, a single massive cluster serving as a gravitational lens.

Now, we will see how Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity works here and how it relates to the monster galaxy. 

Visualization of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity 

A striking illustration of Einstein’s general theory of relativity in action is gravitational lensing. A celestial entity, such as a monster galaxy is large enough to warp spacetime, causing the path of light around the object to be twisted visually, as if by a large lens.

Things that would typically be too weak and too far away to be discovered can be observed by astronomers thanks to gravitational lensing, which can also magnify faraway objects.

It can also distort photographs of background galaxies, turning them into light streaks. The initial signs of gravitational lensing may be seen in this image as brilliant arcs that blend in with the swarm of galaxies in eMACS J1353.7+4329.

Apart from this, here arises the question, will this visualization further help in scientific studies? The following part of the blog is solely related to it!

Monster Galaxy: Paving the Path for James Webb Space Telescope Studies

The data in this image come from the Monsters in the Making observation effort, which employed two of Hubble’s sensors to observe five unique galaxy clusters at several wavelengths. Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 and Advanced Camera for Surveys enabled these multi-wavelength studies.

The researchers hope their findings will open the way for future studies of monster galaxies of huge gravitational lenses using next-generation telescopes like NASA’s/ESA’s/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

You have surely heard about the galaxies clusters. But how is it different from the monster galaxy? Let’s see it!

A COSMIC MONSTER! What is this all about? Let’s Find Out!

Hubble’s latest image reveals a dense congregation of oval-shaped galaxies forming a galaxy cluster, each exhibiting a radiant orange halo around a luminous core. But it is not the monster galaxy.

Scattered across the image are numerous other galaxies, accompanied by a brilliant star showing a starburst effect characterized by distinct diffraction spikes.

Guys, now you will surely think about the relationship of its finding to the early galaxies. That is why to clear your thoughts, we have curated a part. So, keep reading!

A Cosmic Cluster: Let’s Dig Deep Into It!

This colossal cosmic cluster serves as a gravitational lens, enabling scientists to delve into the intricate details of early galaxies beyond their typical reach. Gravitational lensing occurs when massive foreground objects, like the merging galaxies observed here, warp the fabric of spacetime, leading to the magnification or distortion of light from more distant objects.

ESA officials explained:

“The significant mass of a celestial body such as a galaxy cluster distorts the very fabric of spacetime, visibly bending the path of light as if through a vast lens,” 

“The initial indications of gravitational lensing are already evident in this image as luminous arcs, intermingling with the multitude of galaxies in eMACS J1353.7+4329.”

This NASA/ESA photograph of the Hubble Space Telescope shows the serenely drifting jellyfish galaxy JW39. This galaxy, one of many jellyfish galaxies Hubble has observed over the past two years, lies around 900 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices.

Hubble Photographs a Moving Galaxy!

What are the effects of galaxy clusters on the shape and gas content of galaxies?

Although it seems serene, this jellyfish galaxy is actually drifting in a galaxy cluster, which is an extremely dangerous environment. The gravitational attraction of larger companions frequently warps galaxies in galaxy clusters, twisting them into a variety of designs.

Additionally, a searingly hot plasma known as the intrascluster medium dominates the area between galaxies in a cluster. Despite the extreme thinness of this plasma, galaxies moving through it have an almost current-like sensation, and this interaction can deplete galaxies of star-forming gas.

What Phenomenon Creates the Distinctive Trailing Tentacles in Jellyfish Galaxies?

Ram-pressure stripping, or the interaction between the intracluster medium and the galaxies, is what causes the jellyfish galaxy’s trailing tentacles. As JW39 traveled through the cluster, the intracluster medium’s pressure sucked away gas and dust, creating long trailing ribbons of star formation that now extend away from the galaxy’s disk.

What is the impact of harsh environments on star formation in drifting jellyfish galaxy?

Astronomers used Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 to investigate these trailing tendrils in great detail because they represent a particularly hostile environment for star formation.

Surprisingly, researchers found little difference between star production in the galaxy disk and star formation in the ‘tentacles’ of drifting jellyfish galaxies.

Hubble Space Telescope Captures Drifting Jellyfish Galaxy That are Located Over 900 Million Light-Years Away

The drifting jellyfish galaxy JW39, located in the constellation Coma Berenices and situated over 900 million light-years away, has been captured by NASA/ESA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

This peculiar galaxy finds itself adrift within a galaxy cluster. In such clusters, the gravitational forces exerted by larger neighboring galaxies often cause distortions, resulting in galaxies assuming various shapes.

Furthermore, the space between galaxies within the cluster is influenced by a scorching-hot plasma known as the medium.

While this plasma may be tenuous, galaxies moving through it experience its effects akin to a swimmer battling against a strong current, resulting in the stripping away of their star-forming gas.

Hubble telescope recently captured an image of a host of astronomical objects scattering in the universe. Galaxies ranging from stately spirals to fuzzy ellipticals scatter across the telescope image. While a smattering of bright foreground stars is closer to home. The small galaxy UGC 7983 sketchy shape appears as a hazy cloud of light visible in the middle of the image. In the constellation Virgo, around 30 million light-years from Earth, the small dwarf irregular galaxy UGC 7983 is located. Moreover, some researchers say that it is identical to the very earliest galaxies in the universe.

A relatively nearby astronomical interloper is also visible in the picture. Across the upper left-hand side of the image a minor asteroid in our own solar system streaks. Split by small gaps the asteroid’s trail is visible as four streaks of light. The four different exposures that were merged to make up this image are represented by these light streaks. Filter modifications inside the Hubble telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys between exposures can be seen in the tiny gaps between each observation.

In order to observe every known galaxy close to the Milky Way capturing an asteroid was a fortunate side effect of a larger effort. However, Of all the Milky Way’s near galactic neighbors, Hubble had imaged roughly 75%. A group of astronomers suggested using the gaps between longer Hubble observations to capture images of the remaining 25%. To fill gaps in the Hubble telescope observing schedule and in our knowledge of nearby galaxies, the project was an elegant and efficient way.

 

Published by: Sky Headlines