File:NGC1792 - HST - Potw2049a.tif
Nestled in the constellation of Columba (The Dove), NGC 1792 is both a spiral galaxy, and a starburst galaxy. Within starburst galaxies, stars are forming at comparatively exorbitant rates. The rate of star formation can be more than 10 times faster in a starburst galaxy than in the Milky Way. When galaxies have a large resevoir of gas, like NGC 1792, these short lived starburst phases can be sparked by galactic events such as mergers and tidal interactions. One might think that these starburst galaxies would easily consume all of their gas in a large forming event. However, supernova explosions and intense stellar winds produced in these powerful starbursts can inject energy into the gas and disperse it. This halts the star formation before it can completely deplete the galaxy of all its fuel. Scientists are actively working to understand this complex interplay between the dynamics that drive and quench these fierce bursts of star formation.
Credit:
ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Lee Acknowledgement: Leo Shatz
Coordinates Position (RA): 5 5 13.98 Position (Dec): -37° 58' 48.78" Field of view: 2.67 x 2.51 arcminutes Orientation: North is 208.9° right of vertical
Colours & filters Band Wavelength Telescope Ultraviolet UV 275 nm Hubble Space Telescope WFC3 Optical U 336 nm Hubble Space Telescope WFC3 Optical B 438 nm Hubble Space Telescope WFC3 Optical V 555 nm Hubble Space Telescope WFC3 Optical I 814 nm Hubble Space Telescope WFC3.
Credit:
ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Lee
Acknowledgement: Leo Shatz
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