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A Double Nucleus in Active Galaxy Markarian 315
A NASA Hubble Space Telescope image of the core of the Seyfert galaxy Markarian 315 reveals two nuclei located approximately 6,000 light-years apart. (Seyfert galaxies are a class of spiral galaxy with extremely bright nuclei that are thought to be powered by massive black holes accreting matter.)
The brighter member of the pair is the energetic core of the galaxy which probably contains a black hole. The fainter companion is considered to be the core of a galaxy in the process of merging with Markarian 315.
The image helps confirm that galaxy mergers may be one mechanism for driving gas deep into the heart of a galaxy, according to astronon~t,rs. This raw material fuels a massive black hole, theorized to be the "central engine" in Seyfert galaxies and other active galactic nuclei.
The photograph, taken with HST's Planetary Camera, was presented at the 1 81st Meeting of the American Astronomical Society meeting in Phoenix, AZ on January 7, 1993.
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.23h 4m 2.62s
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.22° 37' 27.5"
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.Markarian 315
- Release DateJanuary 7, 1993
- Science ReleaseHubble Space Telescope Discovers a Double Nucleus in the Core of an Active Galaxy
- CreditPhoto Credit: J. MacKenty (STScl), and NASA.
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Last Updated
Mar 28, 2025
Contact
Media
Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov
