Double Helix Galactic Edge

[Shelgeyr]

Or, at least, that's what it looks like to me...

If you zoom in on the Polar Ring Galaxy, it looks like the Polar Ring itself is not only filamentary, but forms (at least) a double helix. The double helix even seems, hilariously enough, to have approximately of the same pitch or "tightness" as the usual "artist's concept" of such a thing.

Picture link: http://apod.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/09 ... 0Hagar.jpg

Source: Astronomy Picture of the Day from December 3, 2009: http://apod.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap091203.html

Aren't shock waves, bow fronts, and unknown gravitational elements just wonderful things? (/s)

[Shelgeyr]

Here's a close-up - you can see the helix structure pretty clearly. Look for "X"s, and I mean smaller ones - not the great big one dominating the whole picture...

[Harry Costas]

G'day

These filaments are created by jets that were formed and ejected by the central active core.

[Jarvamundo]

G'day

These filaments are created by jets that were formed and ejected by the central active core.

Jets from active core? I don't see these? are we talking minor or axial?

Are we not seeing toroidal currents, curling out and upwards?
http://www.thunderbolts.info/tpod/2009/ ... 2twist.htm

Laboratory high-energy discharges generate toroid, or ring, currents around the axis of the discharge. The toroids flatten and, as the current increases, warp and curl at their edges. “The edges curl in and out and upwards and downwards to the current flow.” [Anthony L. Peratt, “Characteristics for the Occurrence of a High-Current, Z-Pinch Aurora as Recorded in Antiquity”, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 31, No. 6, December 2003, pp. 1195-6.]

re: Shelgeyr: Helix/spiral/filaments.... It's inescapable with plasma and current flow

[remelic]

That particular galaxy looks to me like a small ring inside a larger ring and they are offset from each other about 35 degrees. I don't see a helix shape in it though.

[Shelgeyr]

Here's a down-and-dirty attempt to show what I see as helical structures. Please forgive the crudeness - I love working with photos but stink at drawing freehand (plus I didn't mark everything)...

Galactic Edge picture un-marked:

Galactic Edge picture marked:

Please let me know if this helps...

[remelic]

Yes I see the helix indicated in white now. Very interesting. The black is a little harder to see.