"Fireworks" and "sombrero" in space: NASA presents 16 images of galaxies
NASA has presented a collection of 16 images demonstrating the shape, structure, and diversity of galaxies. They depict spiral arms, colliding galaxies, regions where new stars are forming, and jets erupting from around black holes.
"Fireworks" and "sombrero" in space: NASA presents 16 images of galaxies
Each image is based on X-ray data collected by the Chandra Observatory. They have been combined with observations from other ground-based and space telescopes, including James Webb and Hubble.
Therefore, the images in the collection are not ordinary photographs: they display data captured in different ranges in a single view.
Astronomers mainly classify galaxies into spiral, elliptical, and irregular types. The Milky Way belongs to the spiral galaxies. Elliptical galaxies are usually rich in old stars, and galaxy mergers can play an important role in their formation. In irregular galaxies, no clear spiral arms or regular structure are observed.
NGC 1672 - bright center and spiral arms
The center of this spiral galaxy stands out in white and bright pink colors. The central barred structure helps gas flow toward the nucleus. Along the longer spiral arms, white and pink bright spots are visible.
II Zw 096 - "fireworks" in space
In this dust-shrouded system, galaxies are merging and stars are forming very rapidly. Red, orange, white, and pink regions blend together, making the scene resemble fireworks captured at the moment of explosion.
Messier 33 - pink-purple spiral
In the image, the thin, relatively faint spiral arms of the galaxy appear in pink and purple hues. Numerous bright spots are located along them.
NGC 4258 - a galaxy showing the influence of a black hole