Wave of star formation in Messier 96
Messier 96, also known as NGC 3368, is a spiral galaxy about 35 million light-years away in the constellation of Leo (The Lion). It is of about the same mass and size as the Milky Way. It was first discovered by astronomer Pierre Méchain in 1781, and added to Charles Messier’s famous catalogue of astronomical objects just four days later.
A wave of star formation is occurring along the dark filaments that make up the spiral arms. The fledgling stars illuminate the surrounding hydrogen gas, making the stars appear pink. Star birth begins at the inner spiral arms and moves outward. The milky white regions in the centre of these galaxies represent the glow of countless stars.
An image of this galaxy was already released back in 2015 (potw1535a). This newly-processed image now also shows ultraviolet radiation Hubble captured from the galaxy.
Credit:NASA, ESA, and the LEGUS team
About the Image
Id: | heic1810e |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 17 May 2018, 19:00 |
Related releases: | heic1810 |
Size: | 3799 x 4123 px |
About the Object
Name: | Messier 96 |
Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral |
Distance: | 35 million light years |
Constellation: | Leo |
Category: | Galaxies |
Image Formats
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 10 46 45.70 |
Position (Dec): | 11° 49' 11.64" |
Field of view: | 2.51 x 2.72 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 3.9° right of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Ultraviolet UV | 275 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Optical U | 336 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Optical B | 438 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Optical V | 555 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |