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> Barred Spiral galaxy NGC 1345 in Eridanus

Barred Spiral galaxy NGC 1345 in Eridanus

author: Nasa/ESA/Novapix

reference: a-gax13-45001

Image Size 300 DPI: 29 * 16 cm

The spiral galaxy NGC 1345 and its loose and ragged arms dominate this rich image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. It is a member of the Eridanus Galaxy Cluster — a group of about 70 galaxies that lies 85 million light-years away in the constellation of Eridanus (the River). This region of the night sky is well populated with bright galaxies, with the Fornax Cluster of galaxies also nearby on the celestial sphere, although the two clusters are actually separated by about 20 million light-years. Collectively, they are known as the Fornax Supercluster or the Southern Supercluster. Apart from the main galaxy that dominates the picture, lots more distant galaxies of many shapes and sizes can be seen in this image, some shining right through the foreground galaxy. NGC 1345 itself features an elongated bar extending from the nucleus and spiral arms that emanate outwards, making it a barred spiral type. Classifying galaxy shapes is an important part of astronomical research as it tells us much about how the Universe has evolved. This picture was created from images taken with the Wide Field Channel of Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys.

Keywords for this photo:

2011 - ASTRONOMY - BARRED SPIRAL GALAXY - ERIDANUS - GALAXY - HST - HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - NGC 1345 - STAR -