2MASX J22380719-0234363

• by Alpha_Aurigae

  The most obvious conclusion is the dust trail is a result of a merger or a close contact with another galaxy (the one to the left)
  

  Posted August 7, 2014 6:27 PM

• by ElisabethB moderator

  I don't see a dust lane in this image, sorry. Could you point it out to me ! 😄

  Posted August 7, 2014 6:39 PM

• by Alpha_Aurigae

  Hi Elisabeth, I said dust trail. I meant the greyish feature to the right pointing upwards.
  Is it a gas and dust (i.e. debris) trail?

  Posted August 7, 2014 10:18 PM

• by Budgieye moderator

  I think the word you want is tidal trail. Stars are pulled away from the parent galaxy by another galaxy passing by. #tidal_trail

  Posted August 8, 2014 6:50 AM

• by Alpha_Aurigae

  Ah, thanks, Budgieye, I will incorparate this into my vocabulary 😃

  Posted August 8, 2014 7:36 AM

• by Budgieye moderator

  I have heard both tidal tail and tidal trail. I don't know which is correct.

  Posted August 9, 2014 7:56 PM

• by Capella05 moderator in response to Budgieye's comment.

  Same here - looking at different publications both seem to be acceptable.

  I personally prefer Tidal Trail, but tail seems to be more prevalent 😃

  Posted August 9, 2014 8:05 PM

• by Budgieye moderator

  I Googled "tidal trail" and came up with many seaside walks. 😃

  Posted August 10, 2014 6:32 AM

• by ElisabethB moderator in response to Budgieye's comment.

  LOL ! 😄

  Posted August 10, 2014 9:24 AM

• by Capella05 moderator

  I have even read a single article on wiki that uses both terms - maybe a case of auto-correct doing the proof reading? 😃

  Posted August 10, 2014 3:19 PM