This Hubble image shows irregular galaxy, ESO 245-5, located some of 15 million light-years from Earth. ESA/Hubble & NASA, M. Messa
This NASA/ESA Hubble
Space Telescope image shows a densely packed field of stars laid upon a background of
dust, gas, and light from more distant celestial objects. There are so many
stars in this image’s field of view that it may be a little tricky to discern
that you are in fact looking at a galaxy. Known as ESO 245-5, this galaxy may
be harder to recognize because of its apparent lack of structure, which
contrasts sharply with Hubble’s spectacular images of spiral galaxies that hold
seemingly ordered spiral arms of stars, gas, and dust.
ESO 245-5 is an IB(s)m type of
galaxy under the De Vaucouleurs galaxy classification system. This designation
means that the galaxy is irregular (I) with no ordered structure. It is also
barred (B) meaning it holds a dense bar of stars that crosses through its
center. The third term ((s)) indicates that it has a slight spiral structure,
while the last term (m) means it is a type of galaxy similar to the Large and
Small Magellanic Clouds that are irregular satellite galaxies of the Milky Way.
ESO 245-5 is a relatively close neighbor of the Milky Way. It is located some
of 15 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Phoenix.
Text credit: European Space Agency
(ESA)
Source: Hubble
Spots a Galaxy Shrouded by Stars - NASA Science
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