Search A Light In The Darkness

Wednesday 22 April 2009

Is there anyone out there in the question mark galaxy?

Its unique glowing shape almost tempts us to ask the question - is there anyone out there? An interacting group of galaxies, this image shows a striking blue stream of material passing from one side to the other - a distance of over 100,000 light years.

Nasa experts have described the Arp 194 system as a cosmic fountain of stars, gas, and dust.

The upper group is a deformed jumble of galaxies that appear to be in the process of merging. The lower 'dot' of the question mark shape is a single spiral galaxy.

The bright blue line is light emitting from a stream of hot super star clusters. It has been dubbed a 'fountain of youth' by NASA, as each cluster may contain dozens of individual young star clusters within. (Source: Daily Mail)