A Superwind Galaxy

The galaxy dominating the center of this image, called NGC 4666, is suffering a particularly intense fit of star formation. The starburst is thought to be caused by gravitational interactions with its neighboring galaxies, including NGC 4668 at the lower left.

NGC 4666, which lies about 80 million light-years from Earth, is also spewing gas in what's called a "superwind." Supernova explosions and strong winds from the massive stars in the starburst region drive the wind from the bright central region of the galaxy out to distances of tens of thousands of light years. The hot gas mostly emits light in the X-ray and radio parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, so it can't be seen in this visible light image.…

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Also see this Dome News item.