Today's Image

Meet an iconic spiral galaxy

Posted by
Editors of EarthSky
and
June 25, 2019
Large galaxy with foggy lighted center and spiral arms with pinkish spots along them.
View larger. | This image from the Hubble Space Telescope – first published on April 29, 2019 – shows a classic example of a spiral galaxy. This galaxy is labeled NGC 2903, and it’s located about 30 million light-years away in the constellation Leo the Lion. Hubble surveyed this galaxy as part of a study of the central regions of roughly 145 nearby disk galaxies. This study aimed to help astronomers understand the relationship between the colossal black holes in the cores of galaxies like these, and the bulge of stars, gas, and dust at the galaxy’s center, such as that seen in this image. Image via ESA.
BlueskyThreadsBuffer
Posted 
June 25, 2019
 in 
Today's Image

Editors of EarthSky

View Articles
About the Author:
The EarthSky team has a blast bringing you daily updates on your cosmos and world. We love your photos and welcome your news tips. Earth, Space, Sun, Human, Tonight. Since 1994.

Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.

Your email address will only be used for EarthSky content. Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More from 

Editors of EarthSky

View All
Asteroid Apophis to sweep close 3 years from tomorrow
April 12, 2026
What is the Earth’s most distant spacecraft?
April 9, 2026
Follow the arc to Arcturus, then speed on to Spica
April 9, 2026
Star-hop from Orion to Sirius: See them before they go!
April 3, 2026