Spiral galaxy named NGC613
Click on image for full size
Courtesy of Ohio State University
Spiral Galaxie Collisions Occur More Often
News story originally written on May 11, 1999
Scientists are finding strong evidence thatspiral galaxies have
collisions or near collisions more often than once thought. It was
originally believed that one third of all the spiral galaxies have
experienced this interaction. However, a new camera developed at Ohio
State University sheds new light on the subject.
The camera, called an InfraRed Imager and Spectrometer, takes pictures in
the infrared region like a regular camera takes pictures in visible light.
This new technology allows scientists to look through dust in the center
of the galaxies, where the important information is located.
In the center of spiral galaxies lie bar-shaped bands or stars called
barred spirals. It is believed that these barred spirals are caused by
collisions. Using the infrared camera, scientists have discovered many
more barred spirals in galaxies.
"Infrared observing gives us a chance to learn new things about galaxies,
things that we just couldn't figure out before," said Jay Progel,
professor of astronomy at Ohio State. "We get a much clearer picture of
what galaxies really look like."
You might also be interested in:
Spiral galaxies may remind you of pinwheels turning slowly as though in some intergalactic breeze. They are rotating disks of gas, dust and stars. Through a telescope or binoculars, the bright nucleus
...more
It was another exciting and frustrating year for the space science program. It seemed that every step forward led to one backwards. Either way, NASA led the way to a great century of discovery. Unfortunately,
...more
The Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center at 2:19 p.m. EST, October 29th. The sky was clear and the weather was great as Discovery took 8 1/2 minutes to reach orbit for the Unitied
...more
A moon was discovered orbiting the asteroid, Eugenia. This is only the second time in history that a satellite has been seen circling an asteroid. A special mirror allowed scientists to find the moon
...more
Will Russia ever put the service module for the International Space Station in space? NASA officials are demanding an answer from the Russian government. The necessary service module is currently waiting
...more
During a period of about two days in early May, 1998, the ACE spacecraft was immersed in plasma associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME). The SWICS instrument on ACE, which determines unambiguously
...more
J.S. Maini of the Canadian Forest Service has referred to forests as the "heart and lungs of the world." Forests reduce soil erosion, maintain water quality, contribute to atmospheric humidity and cloud
...more
