A striking photograph of the intermediate spiral galaxy NGC 4654 was obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope, using visible, ultraviolet, and infrared wavelengths. The image is credited to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, the European Space Agency (ESA), and J. Lee from the Space Telescope Science Institute, with processing by Gladys Kober of NASA/Catholic University of America.
NGC 4654, located in the Virgo constellation, easily captures one’s attention with its luminous core and swirling arms filled with stars. The galaxy is classified as “intermediate” due to exhibiting features of both barred and unbarred spiral galaxies. Positioned just above the celestial equator, NGC 4654 is observable from both the northern and a majority of the southern hemispheres. The galaxy is approximately 55 million light-years away from Earth.
This galaxy is among several in the Virgo Cluster that possess an uneven distribution of stars and neutral hydrogen gas. Astronomers posit that NGC 4654 is likely undergoing a phenomenon known as “ram pressure stripping.” In this process, the gravitational forces exerted by the Virgo galaxy cluster act upon NGC 4654 as it traverses an extremely hot plasma primarily composed of hydrogen, known as the “intracluster medium.” This exerts a force similar to a wind gust, causing the galaxy to lose its gas. As a result, a slender tail of hydrogen gas has formed on the southeastern side of NGC 4654. Galaxies that undergo ram pressure stripping usually have diminished reserves of cold gas, inhibiting their ability to generate new stars. However, NGC 4654 continues to exhibit star formation rates that align with those of similarly sized galaxies.
Around half a billion years ago, NGC 4654 had an encounter with a neighboring galaxy, NGC 4639. The gravitational pull from NGC 4639 acted to remove gas along the edge of NGC 4654, constraining star formation in that particular area and contributing to the galaxy’s uneven distribution of stars.
Researchers scrutinize galaxies like NGC 4654 to better understand the relationship between nascent stars and the frigid gas from which they originate. The aforementioned image was captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared spectral ranges.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hubble Space Telescope Exploration of NGC 4654
What is the main subject of the article?
The article primarily focuses on the intermediate spiral galaxy NGC 4654, which is part of the Virgo Cluster. It explores the galaxy’s features and characteristics, as captured by the Hubble Space Telescope in visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light.
Who captured the image of NGC 4654?
The image of NGC 4654 was captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, with contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA) and J. Lee of the Space Telescope Science Institute. The image was processed by Gladys Kober from NASA/Catholic University of America.
Why is NGC 4654 described as an “intermediate” spiral galaxy?
NGC 4654 is classified as “intermediate” because it exhibits characteristics of both barred and unbarred spiral galaxies. It has a bright center and swirling arms filled with stars.
What is the approximate distance of NGC 4654 from Earth?
NGC 4654 is located approximately 55 million light-years away from Earth.
What phenomenon might be affecting NGC 4654?
Astronomers speculate that NGC 4654 may be undergoing a process known as “ram pressure stripping.” This occurs when the gravitational pull of the Virgo galaxy cluster acts upon NGC 4654 as it moves through a superheated plasma called the “intracluster medium,” causing the galaxy to lose its gas.
What impact has ram pressure stripping had on NGC 4654?
Ram pressure stripping has led to a long, thin tail of hydrogen gas forming on the southeastern side of NGC 4654. Generally, galaxies subjected to this process have limited reserves of cold gas, which affects their ability to form new stars. However, NGC 4654 maintains star formation rates consistent with other galaxies of its size.
Did NGC 4654 have any interactions with other galaxies?
Yes, approximately 500 million years ago, NGC 4654 had an encounter with a neighboring galaxy, NGC 4639. The gravitational forces from NGC 4639 stripped NGC 4654 of its gas along its edge, affecting star formation in that region and contributing to its asymmetric distribution of stars.
What is the significance of studying NGC 4654?
Scientists study galaxies like NGC 4654 to better understand the relationship between young stars and the cold gas from which they form. This research contributes to the broader understanding of galactic evolution and star formation processes.
In what wavelengths was the image of NGC 4654 captured?
The image was captured in visible, ultraviolet, and infrared wavelengths by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.
More about Hubble Space Telescope Exploration of NGC 4654
- NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- Space Telescope Science Institute
- Ram Pressure Stripping Explained
- Virgo Cluster Overview
- Intermediate Spiral Galaxies
- Galactic Evolution and Star Formation
- Celestial Phenomena and Constellations
- Hydrogen Gas in Galaxies
- Intracluster Medium
