Overlapping galaxies project ( in which I took part in data collection support )

Link to my new astronomy website : - http://sites.google.com/site/jkhcastronomy/

Also see My Galaxy Zoo images & posts here : - My Galaxy Zoo images & posts ( my research in astronomy )

In April of 2008, I was privileged to have taken part in data collection support for the above project based on data from the Galaxy Zoo ( GZ ) project. It is one of the very successful side projects derived from GZ. The aim is to study and analyze dust lanes high lighted or brightened up by back lighting from a background galaxy, hence, the need to find appropriate pairs of overlapping galaxies. Prior to GZ, there were only some 250 known samples many of which were unsuitable for the purpose of the project. After the launch of GZ a few thousand more were discovered but still only a few are good enough samples to justify the use of precious telescope observing time. Professor William Keel of the University of Alabama was put in charge of the project because he is the leading expert in the subject. He successfully applied for valuable observing time on the huge Kitt Peak Telescopes ( the largest being the 3.5 m WIYN Telescope ) in Arizona after scrutinizing sufficient samples of overlapping pairs of galaxies. I am very glad to have contributed a few among the successful candidates from my own collection of over 1.2 million galaxy images from the SDSS database that I have analyzed and classified to date. A link to the official science blog of GZ on the actual observation run is attached together with some messages of appreciation to me from Prof. Keel. It was exciting and great fun to be involved in the forefront projects of the most advanced astronomical research. Please enjoy the images as well as the fascinating technical procedures on professional astronomy research with which I feel privileged to be associated. Professor William C. Keel has since become one of my idols in astronomy.

http://www.galaxyzooblog.org/2008/04/page/2/ ( blogs on the Kitt Peak observation run )

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050507.html ( Professor William C. Keel's famous and spectacular image of an overlapping pair of galaxies which was published by the most popular astronomy site - NASA - Astronomy Picture of the Day )

http://www.sdss.org/gallery/ ( link to SDSS - SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY official site - the only project to create a 3-dimensional map of the universe )

http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/ ( Atlas of the Universe )

Description of attachments : - ( 1 ) Prof. William Keel's message of appreciation.

( 2 ) Alice's reply to my request to submit my galaxy samples.

( 3 ) Alice ( Global Moderator - official Galaxy Zoo Forum ) - relaying Prof. Bill Keels' initial message to me

OVERLAPPING PAIR OF GALAXIES - M 51 - THE WHIRLPOOL GALAXY FROM SDSS DATABASE

ANOTHER SPECTACULAR OVERLAPPING PAIR OF GALAXIES FROM SDSS DATABASE

ANOTHER OVERLAPPING PAIR FROM SDSS DATABASE - NGC 6050 & NGC 6050B

THE SLOAN FOUNDATION TELESCOPE - PRIME INSTRUMENT FOR THE SDSS DATABASE

HUBBLE VIDEO - GALAXIES IN COLLISION

NGC 5258 & NGC 5257 ( L- R ) - still image from SDSS ( DR 7 ) - DATA RELEASE 7

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7366597.stm ( Hubble video link )

http://hubblesite.org/gallery/movie_theater/hm_gallaxy_collisions/ ( When galaxies collide video )