Dwarf galaxies, like IC 776, are small but fascinating objects that move through the Virgo cluster. As they do so, they are affected by the pressure exerted by intergalactic gas, similar to the sensation of air hitting your face while biking. This pressure plays a key role in triggering star formation and fueling the central black hole within these galaxies.
In order to study these phenomena in more detail, researchers have turned to an observation program focused on dwarf galaxies within the Virgo cluster. The goal of this program is to identify visible light emissions from X-ray sources within these galaxies. X-rays are commonly produced by accretion discs, which form when material is pulled into a compact object by gravity and collides to create a luminous disc. These compact objects can include white dwarfs or neutron stars in a binary system where one star is drawing material from its companion, or they can be supermassive black holes consuming material at the center of a galaxy.
The image captured by this observation program provides valuable insights into the intricate processes at play within dwarf galaxies and their interactions with their environment. By studying these phenomena, researchers can gain valuable insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies within the Virgo cluster.