Spiral Galaxy: MCG-01-24-014

Source-This post is based on the article “Hubble telescope captures ‘forbidden light’ coming from deep space” published in “India today” on 8th January 2024.

Why in the News?

The Hubble Space Telescope has recently captured an image of the spiral galaxy MCG-01-24-014, unveiling the mysterious allure of the so-called ‘forbidden’ light.

What is MCG-01-24-014?

1) It is a galaxy located about 275 million light-years distant from Earth within the Hydra constellation.

2) It features a clearly defined structure and possesses a highly energetic core, categorized as an active galactic nucleus (AGN).

3) It falls under the category of Type-2 Seyfert galaxies.

4) Seyfert galaxies are a class of galaxies known to have active nuclei, characterized by extremely bright, compact centers.

5) The distinction between Type-1 and Type-2 Seyfert galaxies lies in their spectral lines-the unique fingerprints of light that reveal the chemical composition and physical conditions within these celestial objects.

6) Type-2 Seyfert galaxies, such as MCG-01-24-014, are characterized by their ‘forbidden‘ emission lines.

What is a Spiral Galaxy?

1) Spiral galaxies are twisted collections of stars, dust and gas that often have beautiful shapes and are made up of hot young stars.

2) Most of the galaxies that scientists have discovered so far are spiral galaxies, as opposed to the other two main categories of galaxy shapes -elliptical and irregular.

3) Example of spiral galaxy – The Milky Way – the galaxy that includes Earth and our solar system.

4) According to a survey conducted in 2010 with Hubble Space Telescope, approximately 72 percent of the galaxies observed by scientists are spiral galaxies.

What is Hubble Space Telescope?

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