My website was featured on NASA APOD today
10 months ago
- #astronomy
- #cosmos
- #galaxies
- A daily feature showcases a different image or photograph of the universe with an explanation by a professional astronomer.
- The image described shows a tidal stream of stars, resembling a cosmic umbrella, stripped from a small satellite galaxy.
- The main galaxy, NGC 4651, is similar in size to the Milky Way, with the stellar parasol extending about 100,000 light-years.
- A small galaxy was likely torn apart by repeated encounters with NGC 4651 as it orbited eccentrically.
- The remaining stars will eventually merge into NGC 4651 over the next few million years.
- The deep image was captured in long exposures from Saudi Arabia.
- The Umbrella Galaxy is located about 50 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices.