Galaxy NGC 6251 Nucleus
This composite image of the core of the galaxy was constructed by combining a visible light image taken with Hubble's Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2), with a separate image taken in ultraviolet light with the Faint Object Camera (FOC). While the visible light image shows a dark dust disk, the ultraviolet image (color-coded blue) shows a bright feature along one side of the disk. Because Hubble sees ultraviolet light reflected from only one side of the disk, astronomers conclude the disk must be warped like the brim of a hat. The bright white spot at the image's centre is light from the vicinity of the black hole which is illuminating the disk.
Credit:Philippe Crane (European Southern Observatory), and NASA/ESA
About the Image
About the Object
Name: | NGC 6251 |
Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Activity : AGN |
Distance: | 350 million light years |
Constellation: | Ursa Minor |
Category: | Quasars and Black Holes |
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 16 32 32.02 |
Position (Dec): | 82° 32' 13.23" |
Field of view: | 0.03 x 0.03 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 89.9° left of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Telescope |
---|---|
Ultraviolet Near-UV |
Hubble Space Telescope
FOC |
Optical |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |