Shells of Stars Ring Quasar in Giant Elliptical Galaxy (IMAGE)

University of California - Riverside

Shells of Stars Ring Quasar in Giant Elliptical Galaxy

Caption

These sharp images taken with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope reveal at least five shells of stars surrounding a brilliant quasar at the heart of a giant elliptical galaxy. The image at left shows the quasar, known as MC2 1635+119, and its host galaxy [center] against a backdrop of distant galaxies. In the image at top, right, the shells can barely be seen because of the bright light from the central quasar. The image at bottom, right was enhanced to reveal details of the faint shells. In both right-hand images, the objects below and to the left of the shells are background galaxies. A foreground star resides at top, left.

Credit

NASA, ESA, and G. Canalizo (UC Riverside).

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.