Jamie Carter is a freelance journalist and regular Live Science contributor based in Cardiff, U.K. He is the author of A Stargazing Program For Beginners and lectures on astronomy and the natural world. Jamie regularly writes for Space.com, TechRadar.com, Forbes Science, BBC Wildlife magazine and Scientific American, and many others. He edits WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com.
Where it is: 326 million light-years from Earth, in the constellation Hydra.
Why it's so special: Showcased recently by the European Space Agency, this stunning image of a couple of interacting galaxies creates the illusion of a birdlike figure guarding an egg. Is it a hummingbird, a penguin, or a sneaky porpoise creeping up onto the beach? Arp 142 is a fabulous example of pareidolia, the human tendency to see familiar objects or patterns in unrelated objects. However, its two galaxies are very much related in that they're gravitationally interacting with each other.This image shows a standard spiral galaxy called NGC 2936 and a small elliptical galaxy called NGC 2937.
If you study the twisted remains of the larger spiral galaxy, you can see the leftovers of its bright core as the"eye'" of the bird — but its once-spiraling arms of stars are now warped streaks of blue and red in the bird's body.
The image of Arp 142 — a combination of visible and infrared light — was taken by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3, which was installed in 2009 by astronauts on Space Shuttle Atlantis, according to NASA. It was the final servicing mission, and the space telescope hasn't been visited since.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Ancient Survival Mechanism Driving Today’s Obesity CrisisScience, Space and Technology News 2023
Read more »
FDA’s Shocking Approval: Rexulti Fast-Tracked Despite Deadly RisksScience, Space and Technology News 2023
Read more »
Good Texture and Taste – Scientists Use Ancient Technology To Improve Plant-Based CheeseScience, Space and Technology News 2023
Read more »
Sound Controls Light: Deflecting Laser Beams Using AirScience, Space and Technology News 2023
Read more »