Tag Archives: barred

Discovering a Barred Spiral Galaxy: Unveiling Cosmic Secrets Just 2 Billion Years Post-Big Bang

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Using high-resolution images, NIRCam, a near-infrared camera aboard the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, has led astronomers to discover COSMOS-74706, one of the earliest known barred spiral galaxies. This discovery is pivotal in shaping our understanding of cosmic evolution.

COSMOS-74706: Unsharp mask overlaid on F200W, F277W, and F356W filter configurations. The white lines represent logarithmic spirals along the galaxy’s arm structure while the lines indicate the north-south bar structure. Image credit: Daniel Ivanov.

The barred spiral galaxy COSMOS-74706 existed approximately 11.5 billion years ago.

“This galaxy developed its bar just two billion years after the universe’s inception,” stated Daniel Ivanov, a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh.

“Stellar bars are linear features found at the centers of galaxies, confirming their namesakes.”

COSMOS-74706’s bar comprises a dense collection of stars and gas, appearing as a bright line bisecting the galaxy when viewed perpendicularly to its plane.

Stellar bars significantly influence a galaxy’s evolution, funneling gas from the outskirts into the center, which feeds the supermassive black hole and can inhibit star formation within the galactic disk.

While previous reports identified barred spiral galaxies, their analyses were inconclusive due to the less reliable optical redshift methods compared to the spectroscopy used for COSMOS-74706 verification.

In some instances, a galaxy’s light was distorted by a massive object, leading to a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing.

“Essentially, COSMOS-74706 is the most redshifted spectroscopically confirmed lensless barred spiral galaxy,” Ivanov noted.

“We were not surprised to find barred spiral galaxies so early in the universe’s timeline.”

“In fact, some simulations suggest the bar formed at redshift 5, or roughly 12.5 billion years ago.”

“However, I believe we shouldn’t expect to find many of these galaxies just yet.”

This discovery helps refine the timeline for bar formation, making it a significant finding.

Ivanov and colleagues presented their discoveries on January 8th during the 247th Annual Meeting of the American Astronomical Society.

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Daniel Ivanov et al. 2026 zspec>3 barred spiral without lens. AAS247

Source: www.sci.news

Hubble Captures the Breathtaking Barred Spiral Galaxy: IC 758

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The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning new image of IC 758, a spiral galaxy located within the constellation Ursa Major.

This Hubble image depicts IC 758, a barred spiral galaxy located roughly 60 million light years from Earth in the Ursa Major constellation. The colorful image is based on observations from Hubble’s advanced cameras used for the Investigation of the Near-Infrared and Optical Parts (ACS). Two filters were utilized to capture different wavelengths, with colors assigned by applying distinct hues to each monochromatic image linked to an individual filter. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/C. Kilpatrick.

IC 758, located about 60 million light years from our planet in the constellation Ursa Major, is also known as Leda 38173 or UGC 7056.

This galaxy was discovered by the American astronomer Lewis Swift on April 17, 1888.

IC 758 is a member of the NGC 4036 Galaxy Group (also referred to as LGG 266), which encompasses more than 10 galaxies.

“In this captivating Hubble image taken in 2023, IC 758 appears serene, with its gentle blue spiral arm gracefully curving around its prominent Barred Center,” remarked a Hubble astronomer.

“However, in 1999, astronomers detected a significant event in this galaxy: the supernova SN 1999bg.”

“SN 1999BG marked the explosive conclusion of a star much larger than our sun.”

“We are still uncertain about the mass of this star before its explosion,” they added.

“Utilizing these Hubble observations, we can determine the mass of the nearby stars in SN 1999BG, aiding in the estimation of the supernova’s progenitor.”

“Hubble’s data might also provide insights into whether the precursor star of SN 1999BG has a companion.”

“A supernova signifies more than just the end of a single star; it is a formidable force that can influence its surroundings,” the astronomer noted.

“When a massive star collapses and triggers a supernova, its outer layers rebound from the diminishing core.”

“This explosion disrupts the interstellar medium of gases and dust from which new stars are born.”

“This upheaval may lead to the formation of new stars by scattering and heating adjacent gas clouds or compressing them to generate new stars.”

“The expelled outer layers also contribute to the materials needed for new star formation.”

Source: www.sci.news

Hubble Captures Stunning Image of Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 2566

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Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have taken striking new photos of barred spiral galaxy NGC 2566.

The barred spiral galaxy NGC 2566 has a prominent star bar at its center, with spiral arms emerging from each end of the bar. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / D. Tilker.

NGC2566 It is located in the constellation Leo, about 76 million light years away from Earth.

The galaxy was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on March 6, 1785.

Also known as ESO 495-3, LEDA 23303, or UGCA 138, this galaxy is a member of the PGC 80593 group of at least 16 large galaxies.

“NGC 2566 appears tilted from our perspective, so its disk is almond-shaped, giving the galaxy the appearance of a cosmic eye,” Hubble astronomers said in a statement.

“As NGC 2566 stares back at us, we’ll be looking directly behind it, using Hubble to study the galaxy’s star clusters and star-forming regions.”

“Hubble data is especially valuable for studying stars that are only a few million years old.”

“These stars are bright in the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths to which Hubble is sensitive.”

Using these data, astronomers will measure the ages of NGC 2566’s stars, helping them piece together the timeline of star formation in the galaxy and gas exchange between the star-forming clouds and the stars themselves.

“Several other observatories have investigated NGC 2566, including NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope,” the researchers said.

“Webb’s data complement this Hubble image, adding a view of NGC 2566’s warm, glowing dust to Hubble’s stellar portrait.”

“NGC 2566, at the long wavelength end of the electromagnetic spectrum, has also been observed by the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA).”

“ALMA is a network of 66 radio telescopes working together to capture detailed images of the gas clouds where stars form.”

Source: www.sci.news

Hubble Space Telescope captures photo of obscure barred spiral galaxy

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Astronomers have created a beautiful image of the barred spiral galaxy UGC 11861 using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.

This Hubble Space Telescope image shows UGC 11861, a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Cepheus, 69 million light-years from Earth. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / C. Kilpatrick.

11861 posts It is located in the northern constellation Cepheus and is about 69 million light years away from Earth.

The galaxy, also known as LEDA 67671, IRAS 21557+7301, or TC 609, is classified as a barred spiral galaxy and a candidate active galactic nucleus.

UGC 11861 is Composed It consists of an exponential disk, a central box-shaped structure, and two broad spiral arms.

“The galaxy is actively forming new stars amidst clouds of gas and dark dust grains, visible as glowing blue spots in the outer arms,” ​​Hubble astronomers said in a statement.

“As a result of this activity, three supernova explosions have been observed in and near UGC 11861, in 1995, 1997, and 2011.”

“The first two were both Type II supernovae, the kind that result from the collapse of a massive star at the end of its life.”

“This Hubble image was made from data collected to study a Type II supernova and its environment.”

The color image of UGC 11861 was created from images taken separately in the visible and near-infrared regions of the spectrum. Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS).

Two filters were used to sample different wavelengths, and color was generated by assigning a different hue to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter.

“UGC 11861 is located 69 million light-years from Earth, which may seem a very long distance, but it was just the right distance for the Hubble Space Telescope to capture this spectacular photo of the galaxy’s spiral arms and the short, bright bar at its center,” the astronomers wrote.

Source: www.sci.news

Hubble Space Telescope captures stunning image of a barred spiral galaxy

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Astronomers have used the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to capture striking new photos of LEDA 12535, a barred spiral galaxy located in the famous Perseus Cluster of galaxies.

This Hubble Space Telescope image shows LEDA 12535, a barred spiral galaxy about 320 million light-years away in the constellation Perseus. The color composite was created from images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light. It is based on data obtained through three filters. The colors are obtained by assigning a different hue to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / I. Chilingarian.

LEDA12535 It is located about 320 million light years away in the constellation Perseus.

Also known as MCG+07-07-072 or SDSS J032041.39+424814.8, it is classified as a barred spiral galaxy.

“LEDA 12535 has a highly unusual shape for a spiral galaxy, with thin arms extending from the ends of its barred nucleus and tracing a nearly circular path around the disk,” the Hubble astronomers said.

“Using a common extension of Hubble's basis system, it is classified as an SBc(r) galaxy. The c indicates that the two spiral arms are loosely wound, each completing only a half revolution around the galaxy, and the (r) refers to the ring-like structure they produce.”

“Galactic rings come in a variety of shapes, from merely unusual to rare and astrophysically important.”

“Lenticular galaxies are a type of galaxy that lies intermediate between elliptical and spiral galaxies,” the astronomers added.

“Unlike elliptical galaxies, they feature large disks but lack spiral arms.”

“Lenticular means lens-shaped, and these galaxies often feature a ring-like shape in their disks.”

“The classification of ring galaxies, on the other hand, is only applied to unusual galaxies with a round ring of gas and star formation that closely resembles spiral arms but is either completely detached from the galactic core or lacks a visible core at all.”

“They are thought to have formed from the collision of galaxies.”

“Finally, there is the famous gravitational lensing, where the ring is actually a distorted image of a distant background galaxy, formed by the 'lensing' galaxy bending the light around it.”

“The ring-shaped images, called Einstein rings, can only form if the lensed galaxy and the photographed galaxy are perfectly aligned.”

Source: www.sci.news

Hubble directly observes a barred spiral galaxy from a head-on perspective

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This new image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows the barred spiral galaxy NGC 3059 in the constellation Carina.

This Hubble Space Telescope image shows NGC 3059, a barred spiral galaxy about 57 million light-years away in the constellation Carina. Image courtesy of NASA / ESA / Hubble / D. Thilker.

NGC 3059 It is located in the constellation Carina, about 57 million light years away.

Also known as ESO 37-7, IRAS 09496-7341, and LEDA 28298, the galaxy has a diameter of 55,000 light years.

it was discovered It was discovered on February 22, 1835 by British astronomer John Herschel.

This new image of NGC 3059 shows Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) is present in the ultraviolet, near infrared, and visible light portions of the spectrum.

Six filters were used to sample different wavelengths, and color was generated by assigning a different hue to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter.

“The data used to create this image was collected by Hubble in May 2024 as part of an observing program studying a large number of galaxies,” Hubble astronomers explained.

“All observations were made using the same range of filters – partially transparent materials that only let certain wavelengths of light through.”

“Filters are widely used in observational astronomy and can be adjusted to let through a very narrow range of light, or a somewhat broader range of light.”

“Narrowband filters are invaluable from a scientific perspective because specific wavelengths of light are associated with specific physical and chemical processes.”

“For example, under certain conditions, hydrogen atoms are known to emit red light with a wavelength of 656.46 nm.”

“Red light of this wavelength H-alpha radiationor “H-alpha radiation.”

“Their presence is extremely useful to astronomers as they serve as indicators of certain physical processes and conditions. For example, they are often a telltale sign that a new star is forming.”

“Thus, narrow-band filters tuned to pass H-alpha radiation can be used to identify regions of the universe where stars are forming.”

For this image of NGC 3059, a narrowband filter called the F657N or H-alpha filter was used.

“F stands for filter and N stands for narrow,” the astronomers said.

“The numbers represent the peak wavelength that the filter passes. 657 is very close to the wavelength of the 656.46 H-alpha line.”

“Data collected using five other filters also contributed to the image, and they are all broadband filters, meaning they let through a wider range of wavelengths of light.”

“This isn't very useful for identifying very specific lines (such as H-alpha), but it still allows us to explore relatively unusual parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.”

“And by integrating the information from multiple filters, we're able to create beautiful images like this.”

Source: www.sci.news

Hubble Photographs Stunning Barred Spiral Galaxy: NGC 3783

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Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have taken photos of NGC 3783, a bright barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Centaurus.

This Hubble image shows NGC 3783, a barred spiral galaxy about 135 million light-years away in the constellation Centaurus. The color images consist of infrared and optical observations from Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). Based on data obtained through five filters. Color is obtained by assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / MC Benz / DJV Rosario.

NGC 3783 is located about 135 million light years It is located beyond the constellation Centauri.

Also known as ESO 378-14, LEDA 36101, or 2XMM J113901.7-374418, this galaxy was first discovered It was announced by British astronomer John Herschel on April 21, 1835.

NGC 3783 is home to a rapidly rotating black hole of 2.8 million solar masses.

It is a major member of the NGC 3783 galaxy group, which is a collection of 47 galaxies.

“Like galaxy clusters, galaxy groups are gravitationally bound collections of galaxies,” the Hubble astronomers said.

“However, galaxy groups are smaller and contain fewer members than galaxy clusters. Galaxy clusters can contain hundreds or even thousands of member galaxies, whereas galaxy groups typically contain fewer than 50. It does not include galaxies that exceed

“The Milky Way is actually part of a group of galaxies known as the Local Group, which includes two other large galaxies (Andromeda and the Triangular Galaxy) and dozens of satellite galaxies. Contains dwarf galaxies.

“On the other hand, the NGC 3783 galaxy group contains 47 galaxies,” they added.

“It also appears to be at a fairly early stage in its evolution, making it an interesting subject to study.”

“Although the focus of this image is spiral galaxy NGC 3783, your eye is equally focused on a very bright object in the lower right-hand portion of this image. This is the star. HD 101274” said the researchers.

“The perspective of this image makes the stars and galaxies appear to be close companions, but this is an illusion.”

“HD 101274 is only about 1,530 light-years from Earth, which means it is about 85,000 times closer than NGC 3783.”

“This explains how a single star can appear to outshine an entire galaxy.”

According to scientists, NGC 3783 type I Seyfert galaxy — A galaxy with a bright central region.

“In this image, thanks to five separate images taken at different wavelengths of light, Hubble shows incredible detail, from the glowing central bar to the thin, winding arms and the dust that passed through them. ,” the researchers said.

“In fact, the center of the galaxy is bright enough for Hubble to exhibit diffraction spikes that are normally only seen in stars such as HD 101274.”

Source: www.sci.news

ALMA discovers earthquake-like ripples in the disk of an old barred spiral galaxy

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astronomer using Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array ALMA observed disk bending waves in BRI 1335-0417, the oldest known spiral galaxy, more than 12 billion years old. This unprecedented observation reveals the galaxy’s dynamic growth pattern, showing the motion of a vertically oscillating disk similar to ripples in a pond. This study is the first time such a phenomenon has been detected in an early galaxy.

This simulation shows how the galactic disk is disturbed and seismic ripples propagate throughout the disk. Image credit: Brand-Hawthorne & Tepper-Garcia, University of Sydney.

Bar structures play an important role in driving galaxy evolution and forming disk structures.

In galaxies, axisymmetric stellar bars exert a gravitational torque on the gas, driving it toward the galactic center and forming concentrated stellar structures such as bulges and core disks.

This process may also promote the accretion of gas onto black holes, which are observed as active galactic nuclei.

Bars can also cause radial migration of gas and stars, which is essential for explaining the stellar kinematics observed in galaxies similar to the Milky Way.

“Thanks to a cutting-edge telescope called ALMA, we have been able to observe the ancient galaxy BRI 1335-0417 in greater detail,” said lead author Dr Takafumi Tsukui, an astronomer at the Australian National University.

“In particular, we were interested in how gas moves within and across galaxies.”

“Gas is a key component for star formation and provides important clues about how galaxies actually drive star formation.”

In this case, Dr. Tsukui and his colleagues were not only able to capture the movement of gas around BRI 1335-0417, but also revealed the formation of seismic waves, a first for this type of early galaxy.

The galaxy’s disk moves similar to the ripples in a pond after a stone is thrown into it.

ALMA detected emission from carbon ions in the galaxy BRI 1335-0417. Image credit: ALMA / ESO / NAOJ / NRAO / T. Tsukui & S. Iguchi, doi: 10.1126/science.abe9680.

“The vertical oscillatory motion of the disk is due to external factors, such as new gas flowing into the galaxy or contact with other small galaxies,” Tsukui said.

“Both possibilities would bombard the galaxy with new fuel for star formation.”

“Furthermore, our study revealed rod-like structures within the disk.”

“The galactic rods can destroy gas and transport it towards the center of the galaxy.”

“The bar discovered at BRI 1335-0417 is the most remote known structure of its kind.”

“Taken together, these results point to the dynamic growth of young galaxies.”

“We know that early galaxies formed stars at much faster rates than modern galaxies,” said co-author Dr Emily Wisnioski, also from the Australian National University.

“This is also true for BRI 1335-0417, which has a similar mass to our Milky Way galaxy but forms stars hundreds of times faster.”

“We wanted to understand how gas is supplied to keep up with this rapid rate of star formation.”

“Spiral structures are rare in the early Universe, and exactly how they form remains unknown.”

“This study also provides important information about the most likely scenario.”

“While it is impossible to directly observe the evolution of galaxies, our observations only provide snapshots, so computer simulations can help piece together the story.”

of findings will appear in Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.

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Takafumi Tsukui other. 2024. Disk bending waves detected in a barred spiral galaxy at redshift 4.4. MNRAS 527 (3): 8941-8949; doi: 10.1093/mnras/stad3588

Source: www.sci.news