The Hubble Team has unveiled a stunning new image of the intermediate Spiral Galaxy NGC 3511.
This Hubble image depicts NGC 3511, a mid-spiral galaxy located about 43 million light years away in the crater constellations. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/D. Thilker.
NGC 3511 is situated approximately 43 million light years away from Earth, in the crater’s constellation.
Also referred to as ESO 502-13, Leda 33385, IRAS 11009-2248, or UGCA 223, this spiral galaxy spans a diameter of 107,000 light years.
NGC 3511 was discovered by the German and British astronomer William Herschel on December 21, 1786.
This galaxy is part of the NGC 3511 group, a small collection of galaxies that includes NGC 3513 and ESO 502-024.
“From Hubble’s perspective in orbit around Earth, NGC 3511 is tilted about 70 degrees, sitting in between galaxies that display edge-on features and those that exhibit dense flat discs, ideal for visualization,” Hubble astronomers stated.
Color images of NGC 3511 were created from individual exposures using UV light with the Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3).
Six filters were employed to capture different wavelengths. Colors are assigned by applying distinct hues to each monochromatic image tied to a specific filter.
“We are examining NGC 3511 as part of our research into the star formation cycle in nearby galaxies,” stated the astronomers.
“This observational program involves Hubble recording the properties of 55 local galaxies using five filters that permit light of varying wavelengths or colors.”
“One of these filters specifically transmits red light at a particular wavelength.”
“This vast cloud of hydrogen gas glows red when stimulated by the ultraviolet rays of a hot young star.”
“As illustrated in this image, NGC 3511 is filled with numerous bright red gas clouds, some of which encircle clusters of vibrant blue stars.”
“Hubble plays a crucial role in cataloging and determining the ages of these stars, which are generally a few million years old and several times larger than the Sun.”
Source: www.sci.news
