Jets and explosions in NGC 7793
ESA/Hubble & NASA
Acknowledgement: D. Calzetti (University of Massachusetts) and the LEGUS TeamThe image shows NGC 7793’s spiral arms and small central bulge. Unlike some other spirals, NGC 7793 doesn’t have a very pronounced spiral structure, and its shape is further muddled by the mottled pattern of dark dust that stretches across the frame. The occasional burst of bright pink can be seen in the galaxy, highlighting stellar nurseries containing newly-forming baby stars.
Although it may look serene and beautiful from our perspective, this galaxy is actually a very dramatic and violent place. Astronomers have discovered a powerful microquasar within NGC 7793 — a system containing a black hole actively feeding on material from a companion star. While many full-sized quasars are known at the cores of other galaxies, it is unusual to find a quasar in a galaxy’s disc rather than at its centre.
Micro-quasars are almost like scale models — they allow astronomers to study quasars in detail. As material falls inwards towards this black hole, it creates a swirling disc around it. Some of the infalling gas is propelled violently outwards at extremely high speeds, creating jets streaking out into space in opposite directions. In the case of NGC 7793, these jets are incredibly powerful, and are in the process of creating an expanding bubble of hot gas some 1000 light-years across.Relevante Bilder
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NGC 7793NGC 7793 ist eine Spiralgalaxie vom Hubble-Typ Scd mit ausgedehnten Sternentstehungsgebieten im Sternbild Bildhauer am Südsternhimmel. Sie ist schätzungsweise 10 Millionen Lichtjahre von der Milchstraße entfernt und hat einen Durchmesser von etwa 30.000 Lichtjahren. .. weiterlesen