Hubble Space Telescope Captures Merging Galaxy Cluster

A new image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope reveals the densely packed galaxy cluster CL0016+1609, also known as MACS J0018.5+1626.

Image credit: NASA, ESA, H. Ebeling (University of Hawaii), D. Coe (STScI, ESA, JWST); Image processing: G. Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)

Two Clusters in Merger

CL0016+1609 is exceptionally luminous in X-ray wavelengths and is among the most extensively studied galaxy clusters in both X-ray and radio observations. X-ray data reveal that the structure is actually formed by two galaxy clusters merging along our line of sight.

Hubble's Observing Campaign

Researchers requested time on Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys to observe CL0016+1609. The resulting data enable precise mapping of the cluster's dark matter distribution, shedding light on the merger process and CL0016+1609's role within the large-scale structure of the universe.

While Hubble cannot directly image dark matter, its infrared and visible-light observations can detect the influence dark matter exerts on ordinary matter through gravitational lensing.

The RELICS Survey

The image also incorporates data from Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3, gathered as part of a survey that obtained the first Hubble infrared images of 46 massive galaxy clusters and searched for distant galaxies magnified by their gravitational lensing effect.

This program, known as RELICS (Reionization Lensing Cluster Survey), identified approximately 300 high-redshift candidate galaxies magnified by gravitational lensing.

Image Highlights

In the image above, an elongated vertical arc formed by a distant background galaxy is visible to the left of a large elliptical galaxy near the center. A second, shorter but brighter arc appears to the upper right of the same central elliptical galaxy.

Media Contact: Claire Andreoli NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland claire.andreoli@nasa.gov

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