Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Ring Galaxy Zw II 28: Galaxy With the Hole in the Middle

Galaxy Zw II 28 possesses a mysterious ring shape. 

Researchers believe ring galaxies form when one galaxy slices through the disc of another, larger, one, though without much destruction as might be expected, as galaxies mostly contain empty space. 

This disruption should redistribute the material in both galaxies to form a dense central core, encircled by bright stars, iintensely forming new stars in the outer ring. 

The pink and purple loop of Zw II 28 does not represent a typical ring galaxy due to its lack of a visible central companion. 

However, a companion may lurk just inside the ring. Image released March 11, 2013.

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, Acknowledgement: Judy Schmidt

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