Holm 15A Galaxy: Type, Age, Size, Diameter, Mass, Location, Facts, Distance from Earth

Holm 15A Galaxy: Type, Age, Size, Diameter, Mass, Location, Facts, Distance from Earth

Holm 15A Galaxy

What is Holm 15A Galaxy

Holm 15A Galaxy is a massive and distinctive galaxy located in the Abell 85 galaxy cluster, known for its exceptional size and supermassive black hole.

What Type of Galaxy is Holm 15A Galaxy

Holm 15A Galaxy is classified as an elliptical galaxy. Elliptical galaxies are characterized by their ellipsoidal shape and lack of significant structure, such as spiral arms.

How old is Holm 15A Galaxy

The exact age of Holm 15A Galaxy is challenging to determine precisely, but it is estimated to be several billion years old.

Holm 15A Galaxy Size in Light Years

The size of Holm 15A Galaxy is incredibly vast, spanning an approximate area of about 800,000 light-years.

Holm 15A Galaxy Diameter in Light Years and Compared to Milky Way

The diameter of Holm 15A Galaxy is immense, measuring about 800,000 light-years. This makes it significantly larger than the Milky Way, whose diameter is around 100,000 light-years.

Holm 15A Galaxy Mass in Solar Masses

Holm 15A Galaxy possesses an extraordinary mass, estimated to be around 10 trillion solar masses. Its immense mass is a key feature of this galaxy.

Holm 15A Galaxy Location

Holm 15A Galaxy is situated in the Abell 85 galaxy cluster. Its celestial coordinates are approximately located within the cluster, which is part of the Pisces–Cetus Supercluster Complex.

10 Interesting Fun Facts about Holm 15A Galaxy

  1. Holm 15A is considered one of the most massive galaxies known in the observable universe.
  2. It houses a supermassive black hole at its center, with a mass equivalent to 40 billion times that of the Sun.
  3. The galaxy is part of the Abell 85 galaxy cluster, a collection of galaxies bound by gravity.
  4. Holm 15A's immense size challenges conventional galaxy size expectations.
  5. It exhibits a lack of prominent spiral arms, typical of elliptical galaxies.
  6. The supermassive black hole in Holm 15A is among the most massive known black holes in the universe.
  7. Its location in the Abell 85 cluster places it in a region rich in galactic interactions and gravitational influences.
  8. Holm 15A provides insights into the extreme conditions and dynamics of massive galaxies.
  9. Studying Holm 15A contributes to our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.
  10. The galaxy's enormous mass influences its gravitational interactions within the galaxy cluster.

Holm 15A Galaxy Distance from Earth in Light Years and Miles / Km

Holm 15A Galaxy is situated at an approximate distance of about 700 million light-years from Earth. In miles, this is roughly 4.1e+21 miles (6.6e+21 km) away. Its immense distance places it in the vast cosmic expanses of the universe, highlighting the challenges of observing and studying such distant celestial objects.

Holmberg 15A, affectionately known as Holm 15A, emerges as a cosmic giant in the Abell 85 galaxy cluster, residing in the constellation Cetus, approximately 700 million light-years away from our blue planet. Discovered in the late 1930s by Erik Holmberg, this supergiant elliptical galaxy has become a focal point of astronomical fascination, particularly due to its colossal core and the mysteries it conceals.

Holmberg 15A Galaxy

Holm 15A Galaxy Overview
Constellation Cetus
Right Ascension 00h 41m 50.5s
Declination −09° 18′ 11″
Redshift 0.055672
Heliocentric Radial Velocity 16690 km/s
Galactocentric Velocity 16747 km/s
Distance from Earth 704×10^6 ly (216 Mpc)
Group or Cluster Abell 85
Apparent Magnitude (V) 14.7
Type cD;BrClG
Mass 7×10^13 M☉
Number of Stars 5×10^12
Size 270,000 ly (83 kpc)
Apparent Size (V) 1.3 moa

This table provides a concise overview of key characteristics of the Holm 15A Galaxy, offering insights into its celestial coordinates, velocity, distance, and various physical properties

The Colossal Core Controversy

Initially celebrated for possessing the largest observed core in a galaxy, spanning a staggering 15,000 light-years, Holm 15A has intrigued astronomers for decades. This acclaim, however, faced subsequent scrutiny and refutation. The galaxy's core, a focal point of cosmic exploration, has fueled speculation about harboring a supermassive black hole.

The Black Hole Enigma

Holm 15A's central enigma revolves around the postulation that it hosts a supermassive black hole with a mind-boggling mass of 40 billion solar masses. While this assertion lacks direct measurement, various estimates have been proposed, ranging from 2.1 to 310 billion solar masses. The lack of direct measurement doesn't diminish the galaxy's status as one of the most massive black holes ever discovered, classified as an ultramassive black hole.

Formation Through Cosmic Collisions

Holm 15A's colossal nature is attributed to its formation through a series of mergers. It is believed to have formed from the collision and merging of two already-huge cored elliptical galaxies, creating an astronomical behemoth. This complex process involves the merger of spiral galaxies, the formation of elliptical galaxies, and the subsequent merging of these elliptical galaxies to create Holm 15A.

Discovery and Initial Notoriety

Holm 15A first entered human awareness around 1937, credited to the observational prowess of astronomer Erik Holmberg. The galaxy gained early acclaim for its purported colossal core, an awe-inspiring expanse stretching over 15,000 light-years. However, this initial claim of having the largest core in a galaxy was later contested and refuted by subsequent research.

Holm 15A: A Celestial Marvel

Stretching across 270,000 light-years, Holm 15A stands as a testament to the cosmic forces that shape our universe. Its classification as a cD (central dominant) galaxy within the Abell 85 cluster underscores its gravitational influence on the galactic ensemble. With an apparent magnitude of 14.7, it reveals itself to observers, inviting contemplation on the vastness of space.

Implications for Quasar Understanding

The discovery of Holm 15A's colossal black hole not only captivates the imagination but also aligns with contemporary understandings of distant quasars. Quasars, galaxies with intensely luminous cores fueled by accreting black holes, have long hinted at the existence of massive black holes. Holm 15A, with its 40 billion solar mass black hole, serves as a nearby confirmation, validating theories regarding quasar luminosity and black hole accretion.

Stellar Snapshot: Key Characteristics

  • Constellation: Cetus
  • Right Ascension: 00h 41m 50.5s
  • Declination: −09° 18′ 11″
  • Redshift: 0.055672
  • Heliocentric Radial Velocity: 16690 km/s
  • Galactocentric Velocity: 16747 km/s
  • Distance: 704×10^6 ly (216 Mpc)
  • Group or Cluster: Abell 85
  • Apparent Magnitude (V): 14.7
  • Type: cD;BrClG
  • Mass: 7×10^13 M☉
  • Number of Stars: 5×10^12
  • Size: 270,000 ly (83 kpc)
  • Apparent Size (V): 1.3 moa

Holm 15A, with its colossal proportions and the ultramassive black hole at its core, stands as a captivating celestial entity, offering astronomers a window into the complex dynamics of galaxy formation and the enigmatic nature of supermassive black holes. As technology advances, further exploration promises to unveil more secrets hidden within the cosmic expanse.

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