Abell 2261

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Abell 2261
Abell 2261
Observation data (Epoch 2000)
Constellation(s)Hercules
Right ascension17h 22m
Declination+32° 08′
Redshift0.224
Distance909 Mpc (3 Gly) h−1
0.70
ICM temperature7.6 ± 0.30 keV
Binding mass2.9 ± 0.5×1014 h−1
0.70
 M
X-ray luminosity18.0 ± 0.2 ×1044 erg s−1 (bolometric)
See also: Galaxy group, Galaxy cluster, List of galaxy groups and clusters

Abell 2261 is one of 25 galaxy clusters being studied as part of the Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble (CLASH) program, a major project to build a library of scientific data on lensing clusters.[1]

It also has the galaxy A2261-BCG (short for Abell 2261 Brightest Cluster Galaxy) which has one of the largest galaxy cores ever observed.[2]

In January 2021, astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope were reported to be unable to locate a supermassive black hole presumed to be at the center of the galaxy.[3] A newer and larger space telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, launched in December 2021, may help determine the object's whereabouts, according to the astronomers.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "NASA - Monster Galaxy May Have Been Stirred Up By Black-hole Mischief". www.nasa.gov. October 25, 2012. Retrieved 2016-07-15.
  2. ^ "Monster Galaxy's Core Is Biggest Ever Seen". www.space.com. October 26, 2012. Retrieved 2016-07-15.
  3. ^ a b Overbye, Dennis (19 January 2021). "Missing: One Black Hole With 10 Billion Solar Masses - One of the biggest galaxies in the universe seems to lack its dark centerpiece". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 January 2021.