JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

Frankenstein Galaxy

Jul 11, 2016
NASA's GALEX reveals the true nature of UGC 1382, dubbed the 'Frankenstein galaxy.' Scientists have discovered that UGC 1382 is a giant, and one of the largest isolated galaxies known.

click here for Figure 1 for PIA20695click here for Figure 2 for PIA20695click here for Figure 3 for PIA20695
Figure 1
High resolution TIFF file
Figure 2
High resolution TIFF file
Figure 3
High resolution TIFF file
Click on an individual image for larger views

The galaxy UGC 1382 has been revealed to be far larger and stranger than previously thought. Astronomers relied on a combination of ground-based and space telescopes to uncover the true nature of this "Frankenstein galaxy." The composite image shows the same galaxy as viewed with different instruments. The component images are also available.

In the image at left, UGC 1382 appears to be a simple elliptical galaxy, based on optical data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). But spiral arms emerged when astronomers incorporated ultraviolet data from the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) and deep optical data from SDSS, as seen in the middle image. Combining that with a view of low-density hydrogen gas (shown in green), detected at radio wavelengths by the Very Large Array, scientists discovered that UGC 1382 is a giant, and one of the largest isolated galaxies known.

GALEX in particular was able detect very faint features because it operated from space, which is necessary for UV observations because ultraviolet light is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere. Astronomers also used Stripe 82 of SDSS, a small region of sky where SDSS imaged the sky 80 times longer than the original standard SDSS survey. This enabled optical detection of much fainter features as well.

Caltech in Pasadena led the GALEX mission, which ended in 2013 after more than a decade of scanning the skies in ultraviolet light. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, also in Pasadena, managed the mission and built the science instrument. Data for the 2MASS and WISE missions are archived at IPAC. JPL is managed by Caltech for NASA.

Download JPG
Download TIFF
Mission
  • Galaxy Evolution Explorer
Instrument
  • Very Large Array (VLA)
  • Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)
Credit
NASA/JPL/Caltech/SDSS/NRAO

Keep Exploring

Geometry of the Blue Ring Nebula (Animation)

The Blue Ring Nebula

Flaring Red Dwarf Star (Illustration)

Pulsar Candidate in Andromeda

Andromeda in High-Energy X-rays

After the Explosion: Investigating Supernova Sites

Galaxies Grow from Inside Out

Galaxy's Pencil-Thin Profile

Big Brother to the Milky Way

Ultraviolet Ring of Stars

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors of JPL
JPL History
Documentary Series
Virtual Tour
Annual Reports
Missions
All
Current
Past
Future
News
All
Earth
Mars
Solar System
Universe
Technology
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Infographics
Engage
JPL and the Community
Lecture Series
Public Tours
Events
Team Competitions
JPL Speakers Bureau
Topics
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Stars and Galaxies
Exoplanets
Technology
JPL Life
For Media
Contacts and Information
Press Kits
More
Asteroid Watch
Robotics at JPL
Subscribe to Newsletter
Social Media
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Manager: Veronica McGregor
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Randal Jackson, Naomi Hartono