Crystal Storm in Distant Galaxy

Spitzer_ssc2006-06a_1024

spitzer_ssc2006-06a February 15th, 2006

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/H. W. W. Spoon (Cornell University)

This graph of infrared data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope tells astronomers that a distant galaxy called IRAS 08752+3915 is experiencing a storm of tiny crystals made up of silicates. The crystals are similar to the glass-like grains of sand found on Earth's many beaches.

The data were taken by Spitzer's infrared spectrograph, which splits light open to reveal its rainbow-like components. The resulting spectrum shown here reveals the signatures of both crystalline (green) and non-crystalline (brown) silicates.

Spitzer detected the same crystals in more than 20 other similar galaxies, all belonging to a class called ultraluminous infrared galaxies. These extremely bright and dusty galaxies usually consist of two galaxies in the process of smashing into each other. Astronomers believe massive stars at the hearts of the galaxies are churning out clouds of silicate crystals. This phenomenon may represent a short-lived phase in the evolution of galactic mergers.

Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope

Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1598-ssc2006-06a-Crystal-Storm-in-Distant-Galaxy

Curator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA

Image Use Policy: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy

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Image Details

Image Type
Chart
Object Name
IRAS 08572+3915
Subject - Local Universe
Galaxy > Activity > Ultraluminous

Distance

Universescale3
750,000,000 light years

Color Mapping

  Telescope Spectral Band Wavelength
Spitzer (IRS) Infrared 5.0 µm
Spitzer (IRS) Infrared 35.0 µm
Spectrum_ir1
Spitzer_ssc2006-06a_1280
×
ID
ssc2006-06a
Subject Category
C.5.3.4.  
Subject Name
IRAS 08572+3915
Credits
NASA/JPL-Caltech/H. W. W. Spoon (Cornell University)
Release Date
2006-02-15
Lightyears
750,000,000
Redshift
0.05835
Reference Url
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1598-ssc2006-06a-Crystal-Storm-in-Distant-Galaxy
Type
Chart
Image Quality
Good
Distance Notes
Distance taken from Fast Facts.
Facility
Spitzer, Spitzer
Instrument
IRS, IRS
Color Assignment
Band
Infrared, Infrared
Bandpass
Central Wavelength
5000, 35000
Start Time
Integration Time
Dataset ID
Notes
Coordinate Frame
Equinox
Reference Value
Reference Dimension
Reference Pixel
Scale
Rotation
Coordinate System Projection:
Quality
FITS Header
Notes
Creator (Curator)
Spitzer Space Telescope
URL
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu
Name
Spitzer Space Telescope
Email
Telephone
Address
1200 E. California Blvd.
City
Pasadena
State/Province
CA
Postal Code
91125
Country
USA
Rights
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy
Publisher
Spitzer Science Center
Publisher ID
spitzer
Resource ID
ssc2006-06a.tif
Metadata Date
2012-03-20
Metadata Version
1.1
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Detailed color mapping information coming soon...

×
Universescalefull
750,000,000 light years

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