This composite image of X-rays (blue) and optical and hydrogen light (yellow and red) shows two spectacular tails stretching behind a galaxy as it travels through a galaxy cluster. These tails were formed as relatively cool gas from the galaxy is stripped away by the much hotter gas that permeates the cluster. The dual prongs might be the result from the gas being stripped from two major spiral arms in ESO 137-001. Prior to these results, the brighter of the two tails (which extends about 260,000 light years) had been seen before. The second, fainter tail was a surprise.
View Page | View Handout | More Images
Revised: January 19, 2010