Galaxy Zoo Talk

Satellite Galaxies & Crossing Arms

  • StereoSpace by StereoSpace

    Looking at this image, I'm struck by the number and distribution of satellite galaxies. There are (at least) three clustered tightly to the upper galaxy, but none clustered tightly to lower one. Also, very oddly, in the lower right there appears to be a small system of satellites in orbit around a small galaxy.

    Trying to imagine how this could come to be, I hypothesize:
    A) The three clustered tightly to the upper galaxy are not satellites, but starburst regions.
    B) The small system of satellites in orbit around a small galaxy in the lower right actually formed together from the same HII region and share the same proper motion through space as a coherent system and are now being pulled toward the large galactic pair, or is in orbit around them.

    One other interesting thing is a pair of crossing arms, just to the lower left of the nucleus of the lower galaxy. Anyone want to take a stab at explaining that?

    Posted