‘Taffy Galaxies’ Collide, Leave Behind Bridge of Star-Forming Material
The Gemini North telescope, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, operated by NSF NOIRLab, captured this dazzling image of the so-called Taffy Galaxies — UGC 12914 and UGC 12915. Their twisted appearance is the result of a head-on collision that occurred about 25 million years prior to their appearance in this image. A bridge of highly turbulent gas devoid of significant star formation spans the gap between the two galaxies.
Credit:International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA
Image Processing: M. Rodriguez (NSF NOIRLab), T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), J. Miller (Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab) & D. de Martin (NSF NOIRLab)
Acknowledgment: PI: A. S. Castelli (Universidad Nacional de la Plata)
About the Image
| Id: | noirlab2308a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | March 29, 2023, 1 p.m. |
| Related releases: | noirlab2308 |
| Size: | 1706 x 1570 px |
About the Object
| Name: | UGC 12914, UGC 12915 |
| Distance: | 150 million light years |
| Constellation: | Pegasus |
| Category: | Galaxies |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 0 1 39.56 |
| Position (Dec): | 23° 29' 7.86" |
| Field of view: | 4.60 x 4.23 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 90.0° right of vertical |
Colors & filters
| Band | Wave-length | Tele-scope |
|---|---|---|
| Optical g | 475 nm | Gemini North GMOS-N |
| Optical r | 630 nm | Gemini North GMOS-N |
| Optical i | 780 nm | Gemini North GMOS-N |
| Optical H-alpha | 656 nm | Gemini North GMOS-N |