The Hubble Space Telescope made images of the elliptical galaxy NGC 474, which is about 100 million light-years from Earth and is 2.5 times the size of the Milky Way. (Image Credit: NASA, ESA, D. Carter (Liverpool John Moores University), DSS; Image Processing: G. Kober (NASA Goddard / Catholic University of America))
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning new view of a giant galaxy that is more than twice the size of the Milky Way.
The elliptical galaxy, known as NGC 474, is about 100 million light-years from Earth. The Hubble Telescope captured a close-up view of the central region of the galaxy, revealing its enormous size.
Measuring approximately 250,000 light-years in diameter, NGC 474 is 2.5 times larger than our own galaxy, the Milky Way. But the size of NGC 474 is not its only unique feature, according to a NASA statement (opens in a new tab), which released the new image on May 18th.
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Recent Hubble observations show that NGC 474 has a number of complex layers surrounding its spherical core. Although the origin of these shells is unknown, they may be the result of a galactic fusion in which NGC 474 absorbed one or more smaller galaxies, according to the statement.
During a galactic fusion, the absorbed galaxy could create waves, forming layers of shells observed in NGC 474. This process is similar to how a pebble dropped into water creates ripples.
“About 10% of elliptical galaxies have shell structures, but unlike most elliptical galaxies, which are associated with clusters of galaxies, elliptical galaxies are usually found in a space. relatively empty, “NASA officials said in a statement. “They may have cannibalized their neighbors.”
The new NGC 474 image was made using Hubble’s Advanced Survey Camera. The researchers also used data from Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 and Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 to get a complete view of the massive galaxy.
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