Wide-field view of NGC 253 from the VLT Survey Telescope

The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) has captured in sharp detail the beauty of the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 253. This new portrait is probably the best wide-field view of this object and its surroundings ever taken. It demonstrates that the VST, the newest telescope at ESO's Paranal Observatory, provides broad views of the sky while also offering impressive image quality. Luminous regions of ongoing star formation are spread throughout NGC 253, which is pumping out new stars at a furious pace. The data were processed using the VST-Tube system developed by A. Grado and collaborators at the INAF-Capodimonte Observatory

Credit:

ESO/INAF-VST
Acknowledgement: A. Grado/L. Limatola/INAF-Capodimonte Observatory

About the Image

Id:eso1152a
Type:Observation
Release date:15 December 2011, 12:00
Related releases:eso1334, eso1152
Size:11596 x 9168 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 253
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Activity : Starburst
Distance:11 million light years
Constellation:Sculptor
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
39.3 MB
Screensize JPEG
139.2 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x768
151.7 KB
1280x1024
238.1 KB
1600x1200
341.1 KB
1920x1200
414.3 KB
2048x1536
549.3 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):0 47 33.15
Position (Dec):-25° 17' 17.81"
Field of view:40.58 x 32.09 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.0° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
g
475 nmVLT Survey Telescope
OmegaCAM
Optical
r
625 nmVLT Survey Telescope
OmegaCAM
Infrared
i
775 nmVLT Survey Telescope
OmegaCAM