Caldwell 3
Barred spiral galaxies are named for the elongated lane of stars that cut through their centers. Not only do these bars often make their galaxies easier to pick out in the night sky due to their needle-like structure, but they can also have profound effects on the dynamics of the galaxies. Bars are thought to direct gas from the spiral arms toward the center of the galaxy, fueling stellar birth. These structures seem to be common in spiral galaxies. Of those that we have observed, nearly two-thirds of spiral galaxies contain a bar, including our Milky Way.
This stunning Hubble image captures a portion of Caldwell 3 and its central bar. It is a composite of four Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 observations in visible, infrared and ultraviolet. These images were taken in order to constrain the distance of the galaxy from Earth. Using the observable characteristics of some of the brightest stars in Caldwell 3, researchers hoped to determine if it was an isolated galaxy or if it was associated with a group.
Credit: NASA, ESA, P. Seitzer (University of Michigan) and M. Regan (STScI); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
For Hubble's Caldwell catalog site and information on how to find these objects in the night sky, visit:
www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-s-caldwell-catalogWięcej informacji o licencji można znaleźć tutaj. Ostatnia aktualizacja: Wed, 07 Dec 2022 11:52:09 GMT