Space Telescope Images (IMAGE)

University of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute

Space Telescope Images

Caption

Using the Hubble Space Telescope, researchers have been able to pinpoint the galaxy causing the absorption in the quasar lying behind it. In the image to the left the quasar is seen as the bright source in the center, while the absorbing galaxy, which lies in front of the quasar, is seen to the left and slightly above the quasar. In the image to the right, most of the light from the quasar is removed so the galaxy is seen more clearly. The distance between the center of the galaxy and point were the light from the quasar passes is approx. 20,000 light years, which is slightly less than the distance between the Sun and the center of the Milky Way.

Credit

Hubble Space Telescope

Usage Restrictions

Hubble Space Telescope

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