Title: Hubble Space Telescope Captures Spectacular Image of Type-2 Seyfert Galaxy and the Mystery of “Forbidden” Emissions
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning image of the spiral galaxy known as MCG-01-24-014, located 275 million light-years away. This galaxy is not just any ordinary spiral galaxy – it has an active galactic nucleus, classifying it as a Type-2 Seyfert galaxy.
Seyfert galaxies are known for hosting one of the most common subclasses of active galactic nuclei (AGN), along with quasars. The distinction between Seyfert galaxies and quasars lies in their distance from Earth and the visibility of their host galaxies.
Type-2 Seyfert galaxies, such as MCG-01-24-014, are unique in their spectra, emitting what are known as ‘forbidden’ emissions. Spectra, the pattern created when light is split into its constituent wavelengths, are the result of specific atoms and molecules absorbing and emitting light at specific wavelengths.
The phenomenon of ‘forbidden’ emissions is related to the rules of quantum physics. Certain emission lines should not exist according to these rules, but in the context of an incredibly energetic galactic core, the assumptions of quantum physics do not hold, allowing the ‘forbidden’ light to shine towards Earth.
The image captured by the Hubble Space Telescope provides insight into the mysterious and complex nature of Type-2 Seyfert galaxies and their ‘forbidden’ emissions. It offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of galactic cores and the nuanced understanding of the universe’s most enigmatic phenomena.
This image, taken by the ESA/Hubble & NASA, C. Kilpatrick, continues to deepen our understanding of the universe and the extraordinary celestial bodies that reside within it.