NGC 1097 (Arp) - An interacting Barred Spiral Galaxy

Beobachtet mit der VdS Remotesternwarte

NGC 1097 is a striking barred spiral galaxy located approximately 45 million light-years away in the constellation Fornax. Known for its prominent central bar and active nucleus, this galaxy displays remarkable tidal interactions with its neighboring satellite galaxies.

These interactions have created faint, ethereal stellar streams that extend far beyond the galaxy’s core, wrapping around it in delicate arcs. These streams are remnants of past gravitational encounters, where NGC 1097’s strong tidal forces drew out stars from the smaller galaxies, creating rivers of stars that illuminate its outer regions.

Additionally, these interactions likely fuel its central supermassive black hole, which powers a luminous active galactic nucleus. NGC 1097’s structure and streams provide an intriguing look into the gravitational dynamics and galactic evolution shaped by tidal interactions.

Imaged at the VdS Remote Observatory in Hakos, Namibia, Bortle 1.