![Exploring the Serene Beauty of Nature: A Reflection on [YouTube video title]](https://cavemangardens.art/storage/2024/04/114803-exploring-the-serene-beauty-of-nature-a-reflection-on-youtube-video-title-360x180.jpg)
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have produced a spectacular image of the dwarf spiral galaxy IC 3476, which is found in the constellation Coma Berenices.
This Hubble image shows IC 3476, a dwarf spiral galaxy located 54 million light-years away in the constellation of Coma Berenices. This image is made up of observations from Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) in the near-infrared and optical parts of the spectrum. It is based on data obtained through two filters. The color results from assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / M. Sun.
IC 3476 lies approximately 54 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Coma Berenices.
This galaxy was first discovered by the German astronomer Arnold Schwassmann on November 22, 1900.
Also known as IRAS 12301+1419 or LEDA 41608, IC 3476 is a member of the Virgo galaxy cluster.
Whilst the new Hubble image of the galaxy does not look very dramatic. the actual physical events taking place in IC 3476 are highly energetic.
“IC 3476 is undergoing a process known as ram-pressure stripping, which is driving unusually high levels of star formation within regions of the galaxy itself,” the Hubble astronomers said.
“We tend to associate the letters ‘ram’ with the acronym RAM, which refers to Random Access Memory in computing.”
“However, ram pressure has a totally distinct definition in physics: it is the pressure exerted on a body when it moves through some form of fluid, due to the overall resistance of the fluid.”
“In the case of entire galaxies experiencing ram pressure, the galaxies are the ‘bodies’ and the intergalactic or intracluster medium (the dust and gas that permeates the space between galaxies, and for the latter the spaces between galaxies in clusters) is the ‘fluid’.”
“Ram-pressure stripping occurs when the ram pressure results in gas being stripped from the galaxy,” the astronomers explained.
“This stripping away of gas can lead to a reduction in the level of star formation, or even its complete cessation, as gas is absolutely key to the formation of stars.”
“However, the ram pressure can also cause other parts of the galaxy to be compressed, which can actually boost star formation.”
“This is what seems to be taking place in IC 3476: there seems to be absolutely no star formation going on at the edge of the galaxy bearing the brunt of the ram-pressure stripping, but then star formation rates within deeper regions of the galaxy seem to be markedly above the average.”
Discover more from CaveNews Times
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
