Zoom on NGC 4993

3,727 views · Published 24 October 2017 · 0:59 · Indexed 30 September 2026

Channel: HubbleWebbESA · 2017 · Science & Technology

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This movie zooms from a ground-based view on towards the lenticular galaxy NGC 4993 in the constellation Hydra. Within this galaxy, a neutron star collision generated gravitational waves and an associated gamma-ray burst. It also resulted in an explosion called a kilonova that was visible to telescopes including the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.

The zoom ends with a loop of the three Hubble observations made in the first days after the explosion, clearly showing the evolution of the colour and brightness of the kilonovoa.

More information and download options: http://www.spacetelescope.org/videos/heic1717c/

Credit:
NASA, ESA, and J. DePasquale, and G. Bacon (STScI); Acknowledgment: A. Mellinger; Digitized Sky Survey (DSS), STScI/AURA

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