Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Arp 188 and the Tadpole's Tail

NASA ^ | November 08, 2012 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: In this stunning vista, based on image data from the Hubble Legacy Archive, distant galaxies form a dramatic backdrop for disrupted spiral galaxy Arp 188, the Tadpole Galaxy. The cosmic tadpole is a mere 420 million light-years distant toward the northern constellation Draco. Its eye-catching tail is about 280 thousand light-years long and features massive, bright blue star clusters. One story goes that a more compact intruder galaxy crossed in front of Arp 188 - from right to left in this view - and was slung around behind the Tadpole by their gravitational attraction. During the close encounter, tidal forces drew out the spiral galaxy's stars, gas, and dust forming the spectacular tail. The intruder galaxy itself, estimated to lie about 300 thousand light-years behind the Tadpole, can be seen through foreground spiral arms at the upper right. Following its terrestrial namesake, the Tadpole Galaxy will likely lose its tail as it grows older, the tail's star clusters forming smaller satellites of the large spiral galaxy.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: Hubble Legacy Archive, ESA, NASA; Processing : Bill Snyder (Heavens Mirror Observatory)]

[LibLieSlayer]

Every time that I see a deep field picture like that... the distances and time between those Galaxies is mind boggling. The hand of GOD built all of that.

LLS

[citizen]

Very impressive! The universe is a very big place.

[SunkenCiv]

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[left that other site]

Just..WOW!

[BlessingsofLiberty]

Thanks..

BoL

[BlessingsofLiberty]

Thanks..

BoL

[blueunicorn6]

Cool. Thanks for the photos!

[TheOldLady]

Goodness! A galaxy-rich picture, indeed! Anyone who thinks all that just “happened on its own” is not a deep thinker (being polite) (for once).