Suggested Searches

 

1 min read

A 3-D Perspective on Hercules A

This video envisions a three-dimensional look at the combined visible light and radio emission from the active galaxy Hercules A. Unusually, this giant elliptical galaxy is not found in a large cluster of galaxies, but rather within a comparatively small group of galaxies. The supermassive black hole in its core, however, spews out strong jets of energetic particles that produce enormous lobes of radio emission. The size of these radio lobes dwarfs the large galaxy and extends throughout the volume of the galaxy group. This visualization is intended only to be a scientifically reasonable illustration of the three-dimensional structures. In particular, the galaxy distances are based on a statistical model, and not measured values.
  • Release Date
    November 29, 2012
  • Science Release
    A Multi-Wavelength View of Radio Galaxy Hercules A
    Read the release
  • Credit
    NASA, ESA, and Z. Levay, F. Summers, G. Bacon, T. Davis, and L. Frattare (Viz 3D Team/STScI)

Downloads

  • 1920 × 1080, 30 FPS
    mp4 (1.9 MB)
  • 1280 × 720, 30 FPS
    mp4 (1.85 MB)
  • 640 × 360, 30 FPS
    mp4 (744.73 KB)

Related Images & Videos

Small yellow elliptical galaxy with enormous pink jets projecting out in opposite directions, far into space.

A Multi-Wavelength View of Radio Galaxy Hercules A

Spectacular jets powered by the gravitational energy of a supermassive black hole in the core of the elliptical galaxy Hercules A illustrate the combined imaging power of two of astronomy's cutting-edge tools, the Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Camera 3, and the recently...

Compass and Scale Image of Hercules A

Compass and Scale Image of Hercules A

Hubble Optical Image of Hercules A (3C 348)

Hubble Optical Image of Hercules A (3C 348)

This Hubble Space Telescope composite of V and I filters shows the active galaxy 3C 348, also known as Hercules A. The Hubble data were taken in October of 2012.

VLA Radio Image of Hercules A (3C 348)

VLA Radio Image of Hercules A (3C 348)

This VLA radio composite image shows the active galaxy 3C 348, also known as Hercules A. The VLA data, which record frequencies from 4-9 GHz, were taken in 2010-2011.

Hercules A Zoom Sequence (Annotated)

Hercules A Zoom Sequence (Annotated)

This video zooms in on the active radio galaxy Hercules A. Spectacular jets powered by the gravitational energy of a supermassive black hole in the core of the elliptical galaxy Hercules A illustrate the combined imaging power of two of astronomy's cutting-edge tools, the Hubble...

Hercules A Zoom Sequence

Hercules A Zoom Sequence

This video zooms in on the active radio galaxy Hercules A. Spectacular jets powered by the gravitational energy of a supermassive black hole in the core of the elliptical galaxy Hercules A illustrate the combined imaging power of two of astronomy's cutting-edge tools, the Hubble...

Share

Details

Last Updated
Feb 17, 2025
Contact
Media

Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov

Related Terms

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

Hubble Space Telescope

Since its 1990 launch, the Hubble Space Telescope has changed our fundamental understanding of the universe.

Hubble Science Highlights

Hubble Images

Hubble News