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> The starburst galaxy NGC 1313

The starburst galaxy NGC 1313

author: Anglo-Australian Observatory/David Malin Images/Novapix

reference: a-gax13-13003

Image Size 300 DPI: 40 * 51 cm

In visible light, NGC 1313 seems dominated by scattered patches of star formation which give our picture a rather ragged appearance. The clouds of bluish stars seem to have burst into existence at random, without the normal trigger gravitational interaction or even a distinct spiral to prompt them. Star formation seems to have occurred in a series of irregular, self-sustaining bursts. However, a very deep image shows that the outer parts of galaxy are also very disturbed. Seen with a radio telescope, the galaxy is rich in hydrogen, the raw material of stars, and the gas circulates around the centre of the galaxy in a well ordered way, apparently hardly affected by the starburst activity or other irregularities that so colour our visual impression of this unusual galaxy. NGC 1313 is at a distance of about 15 million light years, close enough for some of its brightest stars to be seen as individuals.

Keywords for this photo:

1992 - AAO - ASTRONOMY - GALAXY - NGC 1313 - POSTER - RETICULUM - SBcd - SIDING SPRING - SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - SPIRAL GALAXY - STAR - STAR FORMATION -