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05/28/2007 12:05:07 PM · #1 |
I've been fascinated by this recent Hubble Space Telescope shot for the last few days:
It shows a massive galaxy cluster gravitationally lensing a more distant cluster of galaxies, allowing astronomers to map the distribution of dark matter present in the closer cluster. The image has been processed to show the presumed dark matter as a ghostly halo around the foreground cluster.
I acquired a larger scale copy of this shot from the HST newscenter page and did a little PP - ran NEAT and bumped the contrast a bit with curves to enhance the dark matter distribution without affecting the images of the individual galaxies. Take a close look at the "original" size image in my pBase gallery. The detail visible is typical of an HST image, but can be stunning for those who have never closely examined a large-scale shot like this before. There are literally 1000's of galaxies visible in this image. Contemplate the scale for a moment. The gravitational lensing is evident by looking at the highly distorted galaxy images (mostly blue). Light from the more distant clusters is being bent and distorted by the gravity of the closer cluster. Simply amazing! Enjoy!
Link to full sized shot. Make sure you click "original" if you don't see the full sized image.
Message edited by author 2007-05-28 13:04:48. |
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05/28/2007 12:32:11 PM · #2 |
That's one of the coolest things I've ever seen!
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05/28/2007 01:36:24 PM · #3 |
The amount of 'dark matter' in the universe is one of the great mysteries of modern cosmology.
Astrophysicists know 'dark matter' exists, they just don't know how much there is. Answering this fundamental question will help define the shape of the universe and predict it's ultimate fate.
Astronomers are the greatest detectives. Not only are the 'crimes' they are trying to solve often billions of light years away but most of the evidence is permanently hidden from view and/or physically unknowable unless we come up with measurable ways to imply its existence based on effects we can predict on the parts of the universe that we can see.
CSI specialists are chumps compared to astronomers and astrophysicists.
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05/28/2007 02:00:49 PM · #4 |
This is pretty cool John. Would make a nice desktop wallpaper.
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