Galactic bull's-eye

Using ground- and space-based observations, Israeli and Russian astronomers propose that the core of Hoag's Object formed first--at least 10 billion years ago. Soon after, the core skirted itself with a disk of hydrogen gas that it pulled from surrounding material. The disk's spiral patter...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science news (Washington) 2011-09, Vol.180 (7), p.10-11
Main Authors: Carlisle, Camille M., Powell, Devin, Drake, Nadia
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomical objects
Astronomy
Atom & Cosmos
Earth
Extrasolar planets
Galactic astronomy
Galaxies
Gas giants
Observational astronomy
Observations
Planetary orbits
Planets
Pulsar planets
Star & galaxy formation
Stars & galaxies
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Summary:Using ground- and space-based observations, Israeli and Russian astronomers propose that the core of Hoag's Object formed first--at least 10 billion years ago. Soon after, the core skirted itself with a disk of hydrogen gas that it pulled from surrounding material. The disk's spiral pattern could be caused by rotation of the core if the central cluster isn't quite spherical. That setup would also explain ongoing star formation that dots the ring with young, massive stars.
ISSN:0036-8423
1943-0930