The science of astronomy has not been the same since April 24, 1990, when the Hubble telescope was put into orbit. And like every year, researchers from the European and North American space agencies, ESA and NASA, make public an image that shows that the famous instrument for exploring the cosmos is still in top shape .
This time it is a striking photograph of NGC 4302 (the longest) and NGC 4298, two spiral galaxies that are 55 million light years from Earth , in the constellation of Coma Berenices or Caballera de Berenice. The bright couple are in turn part of the Virgo cluster , a galactic city with about 2,000 neighbors. While NGC 4302 is slightly smaller than our Milky Way, NGC 4298 is only half its size.
Separated by around 7,000 light-years (a trifle in astronomical terms), they draw the attention of astronomers above all due to the apparent absence of gravitational interaction : generally, when two galaxies are so close to each other , elongated appendages and other deformations are appreciated. structural . They have only been able to observe faint gas streams between NGC 4302 and NGC 4298.
Researchers believe that both are newcomers to the Virgo cluster, and that they are being attracted by the heart of that cluster and the giant galaxy Messier 87. The hot gas found in its movement acts as a kind of wind that strips the gas and dust pair , the probable origin of the gaseous flows that astronomers have observed.
As planned, Hubble’s successor, James Webb, will start operating in 2021 , so the already veteran space telescope will retire in his thirties, although it is not ruled out that the two will work together for a time to combine their capabilities.
Photo: NASA, ESA and M. Mutchler (STSCI).
