Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have provided an unparalleled snapshot of intermediate spiral galaxy NGC 1637.
This Hubble image shows NGC 1637, an intermediate spiral galaxy located about 38 million light-years away in the constellation Eridanus. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / D. Tilker.
NGC1637 It is located in the constellation Eridanus, about 38 million light years from Earth.
This galaxy, also known as LEDA 15821 or UGCA 93, is located around this galaxy. 30,000 light years Across.
it was discovered It was discovered on February 1, 1786 by German-British astronomer William Herschel.
At first glance it looks like NGC1637 will be displayed Despite being a fairly symmetrical galaxy, it has some interesting features that have led astronomers to classify it as a biased spiral galaxy.
“The new images of NGC 1637 come from an observational program dedicated to studying star formation in nearby galaxies,” Hubble astronomers said.
“Stars form in cold, dusty gas clouds that collapse under their own gravity.”
“As young stars grow, they heat the nursery with starlight, wind, and strong outflow.”
“Together, these factors play a role in controlling the rate of star formation in future generations.”
“Evidence of star formation is scattered around NGC 1637, if you know where to look.”
“The spiral arms of the galaxy are dotted with what look like pink clouds, many with bright blue stars.”
“The pinkish color comes from hydrogen atoms excited by ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars.”
“This contrasts with the warm yellow glow at the galactic center, where older, redder stars are densely clustered.”
“The stars that sparkle their birthplaces are relatively short-lived, and many of these stars explode as supernovae just a few million years after their birth.”
In 1999, Lick Observatory's supernova search discovered a type II supernova in NGC 1637.
named SN 1999emThis supernova was hailed as the brightest supernova observed that year.
It has been closely tracked by astronomers and has been shown to have dimmed relatively slowly over the years.
“When a massive star annihilates as a supernova, its explosion outstrips its entire home galaxy for a short period of time,” the astronomers said.
“Supernovae mark the end of a star's life, but by compressing nearby gas clouds, they can also jump-start the formation of new stars, starting a star's life anew.”
Source: www.sci.news
