Nearby Sculptor galaxy revealed in ultra-detail
The sculptor galaxy is similar to the Milky Way in many respects. Approximately the same size and mass with a similar spiral structure. However, although it is impossible to take a full look of the Milky Way from the point of view of the world, we are in the galaxy, the sculptor is perfectly positioned for a good look.
Astronomers did this and on Wednesday, they published an ultra -detailed image of the sculptor galaxy, and was obtained with 50 hours of observations using a very large -based telescope of the European Southern Observatory, one of the world’s largest telescopes.
The image shows the sculptor, which is also called NGC 253 in approximately 4000 different colors, each corresponding to a specific wavelength in the optical spectrum.
Since various galactic components emit light differently along the spectrum, observations provide information about the internal functioning of an entire galaxy, from the formation of star formation to the movement of interstellar gas on large scales. Traditional images in Astronomy offer only a handful of colors and provide less information.
Researchers used the instrument of a multi -unit spectroscopic explorer or Muse, the instrument of the telescope.
“NGC 253 is so close that we can observe in a remarkable detail with Muse, but close to a single perspective. He said.
“We can get an extremely high solution in the Milky Way, but we haven’t had a global view since we are.
“So NGC 253 is a very excellent goal: the Milky Way acts as a bridge between the ultra -detailed work of the Milky Way and the large -scale work of more distant galaxies. It offers us a rare opportunity to tie us with a large picture view of small -scale physics.”
The sculptor is about 11 million light years from the Earth and makes it one of the biggest galaxies to the Milky Way. The light year travels 9.5 trillion km distance in a year.
Like the Milky Way, it is a spiral galaxy with rods, that is, it has a long structure extending from the core, the spiral arms extend from the ends of the bar. The diameter of about 88,000 light years is similar to the Milky Way, like its total mass. A big difference is the rate of new star formation, which is estimated to be two to three times more than that of the Milky Way.
Approximately 30 percent of this star formation appears in the colorful emissions shown in the new image, as it takes place near the core of the galaxy called the Starburst region.
Observations gave information about a wide range of features such as movement of stars, age and chemical composition and the movement of an important component of any galaxy.
“If the lights from the stars are often blue, if the stars are young or more red, to have thousands of colors, allow us to learn a lot about which stars and populations in the galaxy exist.” He said.
“Similarly, for gas, it shines on certain bright emission lines in very special colors and tells us that it causes different elements and what to shine in the gas.” He said.
The first study of observations includes planetary nebulars with bright gas and dust clouds that some dying stars are deported. Despite their names, it has nothing to do with the planets. These nebulae can help astronomers to measure the exact distances of distant galaxies.
The researchers admired the scientific and aesthetic value of the new sculptor’s view.
Orum I personally find these images surprising, Cong Congiu said.
“What surprises me the most is that every time I look at them, I don’t realize anything new – another nebula, an unexpected color splashing, or a thin structure implying the incredible physique behind it.”
