The Hubble Space Telescope has been observing a breathtaking blue galaxy, UGC 10043, for over 30 years. Located 150 million light-years away, the galaxy was first imaged in the year 2000 and revisited in 2023. By combining data from both periods, astronomers have created a detailed image of the galaxy, revealing its unique features.
UGC 10043 is a spiral galaxy characterized by swirling arms of stars, gas, and dust. However, due to the presence of cosmic dust covering much of the galaxy’s light, it appears as a thin, striking line across the cosmos from our vantage point. The galaxy’s spiral arms are shrouded in this thick cloud of dust, making them invisible.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured images of UGC 10043 in different wavelengths of light, providing unique insights into its gas clouds, star formation, and more. In the new image, astronomers have identified a glowing bulge at the galaxy’s heart, which rises above and below a flat disk structure. The bulge is unusually large, sparking interest among scientists.
One possible explanation for the galaxy’s warped disk is interactions with nearby dwarf galaxies, causing a “gravitational tug-of-war” that tugs on the gas, stars, and dust in the larger galaxy’s disk. This phenomenon highlights the complexity of the universe, where every cosmic object has an individual story to tell.
The Hubble Space Telescope’s ability to revisit cosmic objects over time allows astronomers to track changes and piece together galactic history. This image of UGC 10043 is a valuable resource for scientists to continue studying this magnificent galaxy from our vantage point in the cosmos.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/hubble-space-telescope/inside-the-hubble-space-telescopes-23-year-long-look-at-a-beautiful-blue-galaxy