NGC 1128 is a "dumbbell galaxy" in the Abell 400

Abell 400

Abell 400 is a galaxy cluster, containing a galaxy with two supermassive black holes 3C 75 spiralling towards merger.These two supermassive black holes are contained in NGC 1128. The galaxy, microwave radio jets, multi-million degree X-ray producing gas and resultant radio source is known as 3C 75...

 galaxy cluster

Galaxy cluster

A galaxy cluster is a compact cluster of galaxies. Basic difference between a galaxy group and a galaxy cluster is that there are many more galaxies in a cluster than in a group. Also, galaxies in a cluster are more compact and have higher velocity dispersion. One of the key features of cluster is...

. It is the center of the 3C75

3C75

3C75 is a binary black hole system in the Abell 400 cluster of galaxies. It has four radio jets . It is travelling at 1200 kilometers per second through the cluster plasma, causing the jets to be swept back. The binary supermassive black holes are themselves contained in the dumbbell shaped galaxy...

 radio source and contains two orbiting supermassive black holes that may be merging. Computer simulations indicate that these two black holes will gradually spiral in toward each other until they merge. Lewis Swift is credited with the discovery of NGC 1128 in 1886. However, there is a possible 5 min error in Swift's records that casts some doubt on his discovery.

External links

• Black Holes Dance With Incredible Violence (SpaceDaily) Apr 12, 2006
• 3C 75 in Abell 400: Black Holes Determined to be Bound (Chandra AXAF)
• More Images of 3C 75 in Abell 400 (Chandra AXAF)
  • NGC 1128 (jpeg, Chandra AXAF)