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The directions of the spiral galaxies seem to align tangential to the middle of the photo. Is that just an artifact of the image, or is there a reason behind it
by alfiedotwtf 4y ago
The directions of the spiral galaxies seem to align tangential to the middle of the photo. Is that just an artifact of the image, or is there a reason behind it?
- Cogito 4y agoThe ones that are obviously spirals appear tangential, but that's more or less saying the same thing. If they weren't tangential they wouldn't be ovious spirals. You can find spirals that are more side-on, and galaxies that are completely side-on you can't tell one way or the other. [edit] Unless you're referring to the gravity lensing effect, in which case the lensing smear is tangential to to the lensing cluster of galaxies, due to how lensing works.
- alfiedotwtf 4y agoAh, OK thanks... Now I see what gravity lensing means!