Astronomers at NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a stunning image of a galaxy that resembles a bullseye. The galaxy, dubbed LEDA 1313424, is nearly twice the size of the Milky Way and features eight distinct “ripples” or star-filled rings. This rare collision occurred 50 million years ago when a small blue dwarf galaxy passed through the center of LEDA 1313424.
The discovery was made by Yale University researchers Imad Pasha and Pieter G. van Dokkum, who used Hubble’s advanced imaging capabilities to capture the image. The team believes that this is the most galaxies with multiple rings observed in any collision, confirming long-standing predictions from computational models.
According to Pasha, the first two rings formed rapidly and spread out in wider circles, while subsequent rings may have formed in a more staggered manner due to the impact of the blue dwarf galaxy. The researchers estimate that a tenth ring may have once existed but has since faded beyond detection.
The discovery is significant not only because of its rarity but also because it provides valuable insights into galactic collisions and their effects on galaxy structure. As the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope begins science operations, the team hopes to learn more about these spectacular events and improve modelling techniques.
Victoria Corless
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/hubble-space-telescope/hubble-space-telescope-spots-a-spectacular-bullseye-in-deep-space-image