Spiral galaxy NGC 1792 in Columba

by: ESO/Novapix
Reference: a-gax17-92001
Date: 2006-09-09

NGC 1792 is located in the southern constellation Columba (The Dove). It is a starburst spiral galaxy. Its optical appearance is quite chaotic, due to the patchy distribution of dust throughout the disc of this galaxy. It is very rich in neutral hydrogen gas - fuel for the formation of new stars - and is indeed rapidly forming such stars. The galaxy is characterized by unusually luminous far-infrared radiation; this is due to dust heated by young stars. Image taken on 16-18 December 2001 with the VLT.

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