Space telescope Science Institute
December 3, 1998
BEHIND A DUSTY VEIL LIES A CRADLE OF STAR BIRTH
NGC 253 is a large, almost edge-on spiral galaxy, and is one of the
nearest galaxies beyond our local neighborhood of galaxies. This
dramatic galaxy shows complex structures such as clumpy gas clouds,
darkened dust lanes, and young, luminous central star clusters. These
elements are typical of spiral galaxies. Caroline Herschel discovered
NGC 253 in 1783 while looking for comets. The galaxy's closeness to
Earth makes it an ideal target for amateur astronomers who can see the
southern sky and for astronomers interested in learning more about the
makeup of these stunning cities of stars.
Credit: Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI/NASA)
The image and caption
can be found on the Internet.
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