Hubble Interacting Galaxy UGC 5101

UGC 5101 is a peculiar galaxy with a single nucleus contained within an unstructured main body that suggests a recent interaction and merger. UGC 5101 is thought to contain an active galactic nucleus an extremely bright, compact core - buried deep in the gas and dust. A pronounced tail extends diagonally to the top-right of the frame. A fainter halo of stars surrounds the galaxy and is visible in the image, due to Hubble s ability to collect and detect faint light. This halo is probably a result of the earlier collision. UGC 5101 is about 550 million light-years away from Earth.

This image is part of a large collection of 59 images of merging galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and released on the occasion of its 18th anniversary on 24th April 2008.

About the data

HST Proposal: 10592 A. Evans (University of Virginia, Charlottesville/NRAO/Stony Brook University)