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> Spiral galaxy NGC 253 in Sculptor

Spiral galaxy NGC 253 in Sculptor

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

reference: a-gax02-53004

Image Size 300 DPI: 51 * 40 cm

A mere 10 million light years away, NGC 253 is one of the nearest spiral galaxies, a member of a small group straggling across the southern constellation of Sculptor. It appears elongated because we see it almost edge-on. This galaxy is also one of the dustiest galaxies known and much of its internal detail is hidden by obscuring matter which can be seen as dark patches against the background stars. Despite the obscuration, two spiral arms and many bluish clusters of stars can be seen around the edge of the galaxy. NGC 253 is so close to us that some of the brightest stars are apparent as individuals within the spiral arms.

Keywords for this photo:

1975 - AAO - ASTRONOMY - GALAXY - NGC 253 - POSTER - Sc - SCULPTOR - SIDING SPRING - SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - SPIRAL GALAXY - STAR - STAR FORMATION -