NASA's Hubble Space Telescope recently directed its lens towards IC 3476, a dwarf galaxy approximately 54 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices.
While the captured image may initially appear tranquil and unassuming, the galaxy is currently undergoing a dynamic and vigorous process known as ram pressure stripping, which is driving heightened levels of star formation within specific regions, according to NASA.
This image features IC 3476, a dwarf galaxy positioned approximately 54 million light-years away from Earth within the Coma Berenices constellation. Although the image may appear tranquil at first glance, the physical processes within IC 3476 are remarkably energetic. Specifically, the galaxy is currently undergoing ram pressure stripping.
Ram Pressure Stripping
NASA explained that ram pressure stripping occurs when the gas and dust surrounding a galaxy exert pressure as it moves, stripping away the star-forming material. However, this pressure can also compress gas in other areas, leading to increased star formation.
In IC 3476, the outer edges of the galaxy show minimal star formation due to the effects of ram pressure stripping, while regions deeper within exhibit above-average rates of star formation.
Dwarf galaxies, such as IC 3476, represent a class of galaxies characterized by their relatively modest size and luminosity. Even though they have an unassuming appearance, dwarf galaxies are of significant interest to astronomers due to their diverse properties and potential to provide insights into fundamental astrophysical processes.
ESA noted that while larger galaxies boast hundreds of billions of stars, dwarf galaxies typically house just a few billion. These galaxies often orbit larger, more massive galaxies such as the Milky Way or the Andromeda Galaxy. They are thought to have formed due to gravitational forces during the early stages of galaxy formation or through galactic collisions.
The importance of dwarf galaxies extends beyond their modest size, as they serve as valuable laboratories for studying galaxy evolution and the processes driving star formation.
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Hubble Sees a Dazzling Starscape
In a related story, the Hubble Space Telescope has also revealed a mesmerizing starscape within the Milky Way, offering a glimpse into a lively stellar nursery bursting with vivid hues.
The showcased image presents the grandeur of IRAS 16562-3959, a nearby star-forming region in the Scorpius constellation, approximately 5,900 light-years distant from Earth.
Bathe in the radiant glow of emerging stars, the image showcases the intricate interplay of light and matter within our galactic vicinity, which was made possible by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC 3).
The image's vivid palette is achieved using four distinct filters, each tailored to capture specific light wavelengths. These filters enable the creation of detailed and colorful images that unveil the mysteries of the cosmos. Check out the dazzling starscape here.
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