Abel 209 is an expansive galactic cluster situated approximately 2.8 billion light years from the constellations of Cetus.
This Hubble image illustrates Abell 209, a galactic cluster positioned approximately 2.8 billion light years away from the constellations of Cetus. The color imagery incorporates both optical and infrared data gathered by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Survey (ACS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). We employed 12 filters to explore various wavelengths. The colors arise from assigning distinct hues to each monochromatic image tied to separate filters. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/M. Postman/P. Kelly.
Galaxy clusters consist of thousands of galaxies representing a variety of ages, shapes, and dimensions.
Typically, their mass is around 10 billion times that of the sun.
In the past, galactic clusters were thought to be the largest structures in the universe. They typically extend across hundreds of millions of light years, encompassing numerous galactic clusters and groups, until the discovery of superclusters in the 1980s altered this perception.
Nevertheless, one aspect remains unchanged for galaxy clusters. As superclusters are not bound by gravity, galaxy clusters still hold the distinction of being the largest gravitationally bound structures in the universe.
“The galaxies within Abel 209 are spaced millions of light years apart, and the apparently vacant space in between is filled with hot, diffuse gases detectable only at X-ray wavelengths,” Hubble astronomers stated.
“An even more enigmatic inhabitant of this galactic cluster is dark matter, a type of matter that does not interact with light.”
“It’s estimated that the universe contains 5% ordinary matter, 25% dark matter, and 70% dark energy,” they added.
“Hubble’s observations, including those contributing to this image, can help address fundamental questions regarding our universe, including dark matter and the enigmas of dark energy.”
“These studies take advantage of the immense mass of galaxy clusters, which enables us to warp the fabric of space-time to produce distorted, enlarged images of background galaxies and stars through a process known as gravitational lensing.”
“While this image lacks the dramatic ring that gravitational lenses can sometimes produce, Abel 209 still reveals subtle indications of hierarchy, illustrated by a slightly curved galaxy of stripes nestled within the golden glow of the cluster.”
“Analyzing the distortions in these galaxies allows astronomers to map the distribution of mass within clusters and shed light on the clouds of dark matter that lie beneath.”
“This information, made possible by Hubble’s remarkable resolution and precision, is crucial for testing theories about how our universe has evolved.”
Source: www.sci.news
