A striking spiral galaxy, IC 3225, has been captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, showcasing its rapid movement through space with a comet-like tail of gas extending from its central disk. Located approximately 100 million light-years from Earth, IC 3225 is part of the larger Virgo Cluster, which contains over 1,300 galaxies.
The new imagery reveals the effects of ram pressure as IC 3225 interacts with the dense gas and dust of the intergalactic medium. This phenomenon occurs as the galaxy moves through a hot gas field, causing gas to be stripped away and influencing star formation within the galaxy.
NASA officials noted that while many galaxies appear serene from Earth, IC 3225 presents a more dynamic scenario. The galaxy exhibits a dense region on its lower left side filled with young, hot blue stars, indicating increased star formation due to the compression of gas. Conversely, its upper right side shows an elongated tail where gas has been stripped, resulting in a smaller population of stars.
Although IC 3225 is not currently near the cluster's core, astronomers believe it has previously experienced significant ram pressure. Close encounters with other galaxies in such a densely populated area may have also influenced its shape. This observation underscores the powerful forces at play in the universe, capable of altering and reshaping entire galaxies.