Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured a remarkable image of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1511.
This Hubble image features the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1511, located approximately 50 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / D. Tilker.
NGC1511 resides in the constellation Hydra, about 50 million light-years from our planet.
This spiral galaxy was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on November 2, 1834.
NGC 1511, also known as ESO 55-4, IRAS 03594-6746, or LEDA 14236, is a principal member of a small galaxy group known as the NGC 1511 Group.
“Like many galaxies, NGC 1511 doesn’t navigate through space alone,” stated Hubble astronomers.
“Instead, it exists alongside a pair of smaller galactic companions known as NGC 1511A and NGC 1511B. Both companions lie outside the scope of this Hubble image.”
“NGC 1511B is the nearest neighbor to NGC 1511, and the two galaxies have likely collided in the past,” researchers remarked.
“A thin filament of hydrogen gas links them, and NGC 1511B is elongated and warped due to this collision.”
Astronomers have also discovered signs indicating that NGC 1511 once had another small companion galaxy that has since been completely annihilated.
“These disruptions have impacted NGC 1511 as well,” the researchers added.
“This galaxy has undergone explosive star formation, and its disk displays unusual loops and plumes that may suggest previous interactions with nearby galaxies.”
“We are utilizing Hubble’s precise observations of NGC 1511 to analyze star clusters nestled within its dusty gas, aiming to comprehend how material circulates from interstellar clouds to stars and back.”
Source: www.sci.news
