This new image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope shows interacting galaxies known as AM 1214-255. (Photo Credit: NASA)
These galaxies contain active galactic nuclei (AGN), an extraordinarily luminous central region of a galaxy.
LOS ANGELES, May 3 (Xinhua) -- NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured a new image of extraordinarily bright interacting galaxies known as AM 1214-255, the agency said Wednesday.
These galaxies contain active galactic nuclei (AGN), an extraordinarily luminous central region of a galaxy. Its extreme brightness is caused by matter whirling into a supermassive black hole at the galaxy's heart, according to NASA.
Hubble observed the galaxy closest to the center as part of an AGN survey, with the aim of compiling a dataset about nearby AGNs to be used as a resource for astronomers investigating AGN physics, black holes, host galaxy structure, and more, said NASA. ■