Striking image shows mass distribution of nearby galaxy cluster

Using the Dark Energy Camera at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, a Program of NSF’s NOIRLab, astronomers are measuring weak gravitational lensing to map the distribution of mass in nearby galaxy clusters. As well as producing remarkable images like this one, the information will shed light on the relationships between the constituent parts of nearby galaxy clusters, such as gas, stellar populations, and dark matter.

The galaxy cluster Abell 3827 is the subject of this striking image. In addition to featuring a field of galaxies and foreground stars, the image is overlaid with a map with hues of red, blue and purple. Though they are attractive, these colors aren’t for decoration — they represent the distribution of mass in the heart of Abell 3827 with red showing the largest mass concentration.

Credit:

CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

About the Image

Id:noirlab2012a
Type:Observation
Release date:July 1, 2020, 1:26 p.m.
Related releases:noirlab2012
Size:5625 x 5625 px

About the Object

Name:Abell 3827
Constellation:Indus
Category:Galaxy Clusters

Image Formats

Large JPEGLarge JPEG
9.3 MB
Screensize JPEGScreensize JPEG
531.9 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x7681024x768
408.6 KB
1280x10241280x1024
644.0 KB
1600x12001600x1200
891.1 KB
1920x12001920x1200
1014.3 KB
2048x15362048x1536
4.7 MB

Coordinates

ObjectValue
Position (RA):22 2 53.55
Position (Dec):-60° 2' 0.16"
Field of view:49.31 x 49.32 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.2° left of vertical


Colors & filters

BandWave-lengthTele-scope
Optical
g
472 nmVíctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope
DECam

lensing surface mass
0.0 nmVíctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope
DECam
Optical
r
637 nmVíctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope
DECam
Optical
i
772 nmVíctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope
DECam