ESO: NGC 1427A: A Dwarf in the Fornax Cluster
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:54 pm
A Dwarf in the Fornax Cluster
ESO Picture of the Week - 2010 Feb 22
ESO Picture of the Week - 2010 Feb 22
In this dazzling image, the galaxy NGC 1427A is seen as it travels through the Fornax cluster of galaxies, to which it belongs. NGC 1427A is an example of a dwarf irregular galaxy, a type of galaxy that is significantly less bright than regular galaxies and characterised by a peculiar shape. In this particular case, the shape of the galaxy has been forged by its rapid, upwards motion through the cluster: with a speed of two million kilometres per hour relative to the cluster, NCG 1427A is being torn apart and will eventually be disrupted.