NICMOS finds a golden ring at the heart of a galaxy (WFPC2 image)

In this visible-light view of the galaxy NGC 4013, the star-forming ring (which is visible in a NICMOS image of the same region) cannot be seen because it is embedded in dust. The most prominent feature in this visible-light image - taken by the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2(WFPC2) - is the thin, dark band of gas and dust, which is about 500 light-years thick.

NGC 4013, which looks similar to our Milky Way Galaxy, resides in the constellation Ursa Major, 55 million light-years from Earth.

Credit:

NASA, the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) and ESA

About the Image

Id:heic0207e
Type:Observation
Release date:5 June 2002, 15:00
Related releases:heic0207
Size:1008 x 1008 px

About the Object

Name:IRAS 11559+4413, NGC 4013
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral
Distance:60 million light years
Constellation:Ursa Major
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

r.titleLarge JPEG
195.4 KB
r.titleScreensize JPEG
160.9 KB

Wallpapers

r.title1024x768
192.7 KB
r.title1280x1024
272.1 KB
r.title1600x1200
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r.title1920x1200
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r.title2048x1536
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Coordinates

Position (RA):11 58 31.17
Position (Dec):43° 56' 51.65"
Field of view:0.85 x 0.85 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 5.7° left of vertical


Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
B
450 nm Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2
Optical
V
555 nm Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2
Infrared
I
814 nm Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2

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