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Interacting galaxies abound in the Hercules cluster DR EMILY BALDWIN ASTRONOMY NOW Posted: 07 March 2012 
The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) and its 268 megapixel camera OmegaCAM has unveiled plentiful interacting galaxies in the Hercules cluster.  Open larger image.This new image, taken with the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), spans a full square degree and was created from less than three hours of imaging time. Image: ESO/INAF-VST/OmegaCAM. Acknowledgement: OmegaCen/Astro-WISE/Kapteyn Institute. The Hercules galaxy cluster lies about 500 million light years away in the constellation of Hercules, and is rich in young star-forming spiral galaxies. The new portrait, captured in just three hours of imaging time using the 2.6 metre VST – the most recent addition to ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile – reveals numerous interacting galaxies. After dancing around each other for millions of years these galaxies will eventually merge to create a number of single large galaxies.  Open larger image.Highlights of the Hercules galaxy cluster show a wide variety of interacting galaxies. Image: ESO/INAF-VST/OmegaCAM. Acknowledgement: OmegaCen/Astro-WISE/Kapteyn Institute. Galaxy clusters are formed when smaller groups of galaxies are drawn together by the attraction of their gravity. As the cluster becomes more compact, individual members of the group may encounter other galaxies, resulting in their eventual merger. Galactic collisions eventually strip spiral galaxies of their star-forming dust and gas, turning them into elliptical or irregularly shaped galaxies devoid of new star formation. At least three small clusters are thought to assemble the Hercules cluster, with itself merging with other large clusters to form a galaxy supercluster. The latest wide-field shot provides a new perspective of what is going on in the poorly-understood outskirts of this great galaxy metropolis. |
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Infinity Rising This special publication features the photography of British astro-imager Nik Szymanek and covers a range of photographic methods from basic to advanced. Beautiful pictures of the night sky can be obtained with a simple camera and tripod before tackling more difficult projects, such as guided astrophotography through the telescope and CCD imaging. U.K. STOREE.U. STOREU.S. & WORLDWIDE STOREHubble Reborn
The Planets
3D Universe
 This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.U.K. STOREE.U. STOREU.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE |
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Hubble Reborn takes the reader on a journey through the Universe with spectacular full-colour pictures of galaxies, nebulae, planets and stars as seen through Hubble's eyes, along the way telling the dramatic story of the space telescope, including interviews with key scientists and astronauts. 
From tiny Mercury to distant Neptune and Pluto, The Planets profiles each of the Solar System's members in depth, featuring the latest imagery from space missions. The tallest mountains, the deepest canyons, the strongest winds, raging atmospheric storms, terrain studded with craters and vast worlds of ice are just some of the sights you'll see on this 100-page tour of the planets. 
Witness the most awesome sights of the Universe as they were meant to be seen in this 100-page extravaganza of planets, galaxies and star-scapes, all in 3D!