ZW II 96

The object ZW II 96 (also II Zw 96) is a pair of galaxies that are merging. It is located in the constellation Delphinus, about 500 million light-years away from Earth.[1]

Zwicky II 96
Galaxy Interaction (ZW II 96)
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationDelphinus[1]
Right ascension20h 57m 23.9s[2]
Declination+17° 07′ 39″[2]
Redshift10822 ± 10 km/s[2]
Distance0.5 Gly[1]
Apparent magnitude (V)15.2[2]
Characteristics
Type[2]
Apparent size (V)0'.2[2]
Notable featuresH II region[2]
Other designations
II Zw 096,[2] PGC 65779[2]

The shape of the merging galaxies is unusual; a number of powerful young starburst regions[3] hang as long, threadlike structures between the main galaxy cores. The system almost qualifies as an ultraluminous system, but has not yet reached the late stage of coalescence that is the norm for most ultraluminous systems.[1]

The photograph is one of a collection of 59 images of merging galaxies taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. This collection of images was released on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Hubble's launch on 24 April 2008.[1]

References
  1. Official ESA Hubble site - Photo 59 Collection, NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration and A. Evans (University of Virginia, Charlottesville/NRAO/Stony Brook University), April 24, 2008, archived from the original on July 4, 2008, retrieved 2008-07-18
  2. "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for LEDA 65779. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  3. Goldader, Jeffrey D.; Goldader, Deborah L.; Joseph, R. D.; Doyon, Rene; Sanders, D. B. (May 1997), "Heavily Obscured Star Formation in the II ZW 96 Galaxy Merger", Astronomical Journal, 113: 1569–1579, Bibcode:1997AJ....113.1569G, doi:10.1086/118374
  • Media related to Zw II 96 at Wikimedia Commons


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