Stephan's Quintent: Galaxies Shimmering and Shining | Space Wallpaper

By Space.com Staff
published

Stephan's Quintet of Galaxies Shimmer and Shine
This galactic group, originally discovered in 1877, uses data from multiple observation technologies. (Image credit: ESA/XMM-Newton (X-rays); ESA/Herschel/PACS, SPIRE (infrared); SDSS (optical))

The galactic group in this image was originally discovered in 1877 and thought to be a new nebulae. Further research, acceptance of the reality other galaxies in our Universe as well as modern technologies helped the renaming of the find as a quintet of galaxies. The data from ESA's Herschel and XMM-Newton space observatories combined with ground-based telescopes allowed for this beautiful and detailed image of the collection. [Read more about galaxies in our Universe.]

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Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
News and editorial team

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.