Starship Asterisk*

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060118.html

This galaxy reminds me of a planetary nebula. The small galaxy in the background looks like it belongs in the center of this galaxy. I wonder if this collusion was a direct center to center hit. Other opinions are appreciated.

Orin

Looking at all 4 separate images that make up the composit image, it appears that the centarl spiral area is strong in visible and infrared light,(Hot and Bright), but lacking in x-ray that might be expected in a galactic anchoring supermassive central black hole. This type of x-ray source appears to be in the area of the smaller background galaxy.

So it does appear that the background galaxy (@7:30) mighe have somehow been displaced from the cartwheels center.

I believe that this galaxy (the Cartwheel galaxy) shows signs of having had a super massive central black hole as it shows signs of rotation but that it was displaced as there is now no central x-ray source.

There are several external x-ray sources that would bear the signature of rogue super massive black holes, i.e. strong x-ray source but little to no visible light.

Perhaps a rogue super massive black hole passed beneath the galactic plane and dislocated the anchor of this galaxy.

I'm wondering if the red galaxy at the about 7:30 may be what went through the cartwheel? I see that it shows up as a white dot on the x-ray illustration. Or maybe it has nothing to do with it.
Orin

Could the Cartwheel Galaxy have something in common with the Sombrero Galaxy? Like most of the stars are in the rim???

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060115.html

Orin