Space photo of the week: Galaxies teeter toward collision in the sparkling

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Antlia Cluster(Abell S636)is a group of a minimum of 230 galaxies situated about 130 million & light-years away in the instructions of the constellation Antlia(the Air Pump).

(Image credit: Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/ DECam/CTIO/NOIRLab/ NSF/AURA, Image processing: R. Colombari & M. Zamani(NSF NOIRLab))

What it is: The Antlia Cluster of galaxies (likewise called Abell S636)

Where it is: 130 million light-years far-off in the constellation Antlia, likewise referred to as the Air Pump

When it was shared: Jan. 1, 2025

Why it’s so unique: Astronomers utilized a telescope in Chile geared up with an extremely delicate video camera to catch the best-ever picture of a cluster of galaxies near our Milky Way.

The scientists pointed the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope’s Dark Energy Camera (DECam) at the Virgo Cluster in order to assist fix among astronomy’s greatest secrets– the nature of dark matter

Readily available as a zoomable variationthe image exposes NGC 3268 (center) and NGC 3258 (lower right)– both huge, lenticular galaxies that have a main bulge like the Milky Way however no spiral arms, and where star development has actually blown over, according to NASA One research study recommends that the 2 galaxies are slowly combining, which might suggest that the Antlia Cluster is, or was, 2 different clusters.

What captivates astronomers is the Antlia Cluster’s abundant variety of galaxies. Technological advances have actually assisted expose not simply lenticular galaxies Likewise irregular galaxies, dwarf galaxies, compact ellipticals and blue compact overshadows. Even odder, little-seen galaxy types are presumed to be concealing within Antlia– much of which are believed to be abundant in dark matter.

Get the world’s most interesting discoveries provided directly to your inbox.

This unusual compound appears to comprise about 25% of deep space. Dark matter might be comprised of undetectable particles that soak up, show or produce no light or energy and as an outcome is difficult for telescopes and cams to identify, according to NASAIts gravitational impact on noticeable matter can be seen all over astronomers look– particularly within the catwalk of galaxy types in the Antlia Cluster.

The DECam, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, is a 570-megapixel electronic camera in Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of the National Science Foundation’s National Optical Infrared Astronomy Research Lab.

For more superb area images, have a look at our Area Photo of the Week archives

Jamie Carter is an independent reporter and routine Live Science factor based in Cardiff, U.K. He is the author of A Stargazing Program For Beginners and lectures on astronomy and the natural world. Jamie frequently composes for Space.com, TechRadar.com, Forbes Science, BBC Wildlife publication and Scientific American, and lots of others. He modifies WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com.