The spectacular spiral galaxy ESO 269-G57

Located about 155 million light-years away towards the southern constellation Centaurus (the Centaur), ESO 269-G57 is a spectacular spiral galaxy of symmetrical shape that belongs to a well-known cluster of galaxies seen in this direction. An inner 'ring', of several tightly wound spiral arms, surrounded by two outer ones that appear to split into several branches, are clearly visible. Many blue and diffuse objects are seen — most are star-forming regions. ESO 269-G57 extends over about 4 arc minutes in the sky, corresponding to nearly 200,000 light-years across. Resembling a large fleet of spaceships, many other faint, distant galaxies are visible in the background.Obtained with VLT ANTU and FORS1 in the morning of March 27, 1999. The full field measures 6.8 x 6.8 arcmin2. North is up and East is to the left. The image is based on data collected in the B, V, R and H-alpha filters, for a total exposure time of a little over one hour (64 min). The data were extracted from the ESO Science Archive and further processed by Henri Boffin (ESO).

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0627b
Type:Observation
Release date:26 July 2006
Related releases:eso0627
Size:1947 x 1797 px

About the Object

Name:ESO 269-G57
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral
Distance:150 million light years
Constellation:Centaurus
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
1.1 MB
Screensize JPEG
324.2 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
375.8 KB
1280x1024
584.0 KB
1600x1200
799.3 KB
1920x1200
941.1 KB
2048x1536
1.2 MB

Coordinates

Position (RA):13 10 4.48
Position (Dec):-46° 26' 14.81"
Field of view:6.50 x 6.00 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.1° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
B
440 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
V
557 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS1
Optical
R
655 nmVery Large Telescope
FORS1