Galaxy cluster Abell 520's mass (HST WFPC2)

This image shows the location of most of the mass in merging galaxy cluster Abell 520's core, which is dominated by dark matter. Dark matter is an invisible substance that makes up most of the Universe's mass. The dark-matter map was derived from Hubble Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 observations, by detecting how light from distant objects is distorted by the cluster galaxies, an effect called gravitational lensing.

Abell 520 resides 2.4 billion light-years away.

Credit:

NASA, ESA, and M.J. Jee (University of California, Davis)

About the Image

NASA press release
Id:opo1210g
Type:Observation
Release date:23 March 2012, 17:06
Size:2734 x 1758 px

About the Object

Name:Abell 520
Type:Early Universe : Galaxy : Grouping : Cluster
Early Universe : Cosmology : Phenomenon : Dark Matter
Distance:2 billion light years
Constellation:Orion
Category:Cosmology

Image Formats

r.titleLarge JPEG
173.5 KB
r.titleScreensize JPEG
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r.title1920x1200
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Coordinates

Position (RA):4 54 10.45
Position (Dec):2° 54' 53.40"
Field of view:8.47 x 5.44 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 57.3° left of vertical


Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2

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