Galaxies leave behind record-breaking fiery tail after cluster plunge.
TL;DR
A large cluster of galaxies is consuming a smaller galactic grouping, causing it to emit a record-breaking tail of hot gas. The tail is 1.5 million light-years-long, making it the largest tendril of gas ever seen emerging from a galactic group. The absorption of NGC 4839 by the Coma cluster could help astronomers understand the processes galaxy groups undergo as they merge. The brightness of the tail offers astronomers a unique opportunity to study the physics at play in such events.
Topics:sciencescience-and-astronomy#chandra-x-ray-observatory#coma-cluster#galaxy-cluster#hot-gas#ngc-4839#science-and-astronomy
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- Galaxies Go on Deep Dive, Leave Fiery Tail Behind NASA
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