The Hubble team has released a beautiful new image of two massive galaxies, NGC 545 and NGC 547, collectively known as Arp 308.
Arp 308 is located approximately 250 million light-years away in the constellation of Cetus.
This galaxy pair is part of Abell 194, a cluster of over 100 galaxies.
It consists of the lenticular galaxy NGC 545 and the elliptical galaxy NGC 547.
Both galaxies were discovered by the German-born British astronomer William Herschel on October 1, 1785.
Also known as Arp 308A, LEDA 5323 and UGC 1007, NGC 545 has a diameter of 180,000 light-years.
NGC 547, otherwise known as Arp 308B, LEDA 5324 and UGC 1009, is slightly smaller at 120,000 light-years across.
This galaxy is also classified as a radio galaxy, and has two large radio jets.
“NGC 547 shines just below the center of this image, with its companion galaxy NGC 545 near the upper left,” Hubble astronomers said.
“NGC 547 is a bright radio galaxy, meaning it has giant regions of radio emission extending well beyond its visible structure.”
“The lobes of radio emission are powered by jets from the active galactic nucleus (AGN) at its center.”
“Galaxies with active galactic nuclei have an extremely bright region at their cores where a supermassive black hole exists.”
“As dust and gas fall into the black hole it emits light across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.”
“Radio galaxies are one of the most energetic astrophysical phenomena,” they added.
“Hubble observed this galaxy as part of a survey for a dataset meant to help in continuing tests of scientific theories about AGNs.”
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