Double helix sombrero, colliding galaxies (APOD 08 Mar 2008)

[neufer]

There are two marvelous helical structures to be seen in the dust lane of M104
(especially after clicking on the pictures to get the highest resolution).

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080308.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap070121.html
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sombrero_Galaxy

<<William Herschel independently discovered [the Sombrero Galaxy] in 1784 and additionally noted the presence of a "dark stratum" in the galaxy's disk, what is now called a dust lane.>>
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<<In English-speaking countries "sombrero" typically refers to a type of hat originating in Mexico. The English word sombrero is a loan word from Spanish, where the term is used to refer to any hat with a brim. It derives from the Spanish word sombra, meaning "shade" or "shadow". Spanish speakers outside Mexico refer to what English speakers call a Sombrero as a "Mexican hat". Sombreros usually have a somewhat high pointed crown and a very wide brim, which may be slightly upturned at the edge, used for protection from the hot sun in Mexico. Peasant sombreros are usually made of straw, while wealthier Hispanics wear sombreros made of felt. It is almost unseen in modern urban settings, except as part of a folkloric outfit worn in certain festivities. Cowboys of the American southwest later adopted the sombrero and modified it into the cowboy hat.>>

[ericks]

On the March 8th Astronomy Picture of the Day from M104, on the bottom towards the left, 2 colliding galaxies can be seen. What are they called?

[Case]

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080308.html

You mean these two?


Sky-map.org can help identify them.

USNOA2 0750-07913859 and
USNOA2 0750-07913885

USNO-A2.0 is a catalog of 526,280,881 stars, so maybe they weren't recognised as galaxies before Hubble snapped the picture?

[ericks]

Do you have links on these two on the internet that provides a description and better images? I tried Sky-map.org but didn't find out a lot.

[neufer]

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080308.html

You mean these two?


Sky-map.org can help identify them.

USNOA2 0750-07913859 and
USNOA2 0750-07913885

USNO-A2.0 is a catalog of 526,280,881 stars, so maybe they weren't recognised as galaxies before Hubble snapped the picture?

They are certainly prominent in Spitzer IR:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap070121.html

[Case]

...a description and better images?

They are quite small (~14 arcseconds together) and faint (18th magnitude). I doubt you'll find a better resolution than Hubble is giving us.
The Hubble site has a 11472x6429 image of M104, in which the two galaxies are approximately 260 pixels wide.
As for description, there are similar interacting galaxies that are closer and larger in view, and thus easier to image and study.
SIMBAD doesn't list them.
NED lists them, but only with coordinates, magnitude, 2MASX number and 'IrS' type, no other data.

When the WorldWide Telescope website opens to the public, there may be more information for questions like yours, as it should all be annotated and have 'the best' images available. We'll see.

[BMAONE23]

http://imgsrc.hubblesite.org/hu/db/2003 ... ll_jpg.jpg
This is the link to the largest image I am aware of (HUGE IMAGE!!!!!)

[starnut]

Looking at the dust lanes on the sides and the far side of the disc, it seems to me that the starlight from the bulge is reflected off the dust lanes. Is that what I see, or are the "reflections" just pockets of bright stars embedded in the dust lanes?

[neufer]

Looking at the dust lanes on the sides and the far side of the disc, it seems to me that the starlight from the bulge is reflected off the dust lanes. Is that what I see, or are the "reflections" just pockets of bright stars embedded in the dust lanes?

Not quite sure what you are referring to but dust certainly doesn't have to be black:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080203.html
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080217.html

[ericks]

This makes me now really curious. Especially after having seen BMAONE's huge pic. Amazing that there is no info on the internet. Ok, let's wait, time will solve. Thanks for all your feedback.

[BMAONE23]

HERE is another huge image crop of the two galaxies in question

[neufer]

HERE is another huge image crop of the two galaxies in question

Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Agreed to have a battle;
For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
Had spoiled his nice new rattle.

[diamondblast]

http://imgsrc.hubblesite.org/hu/db/2003 ... ll_jpg.jpg
This is the link to the largest image I am aware of (HUGE IMAGE!!!!!)

Sorry guy.
Somehow this link doesn't work for me.
Maybe because it's an old post .... anyway I will try to google for pics too.
If there is new link please post it, btw i found this two site flow+box,blue+tang very interesting

[Case]

this link doesn't work for me.

The link to this 7.1 MB jpeg image at 11472x6429 pixels (that is 211 MB uncompressed!) works fine. Just tried it. Maybe your browser or image viewer isn't up to it. But Photoshop has no problem opening it.