VISTA’s infrared view of the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)
NGC 253 is one of the closest galaxies to our own. It is a bright spiral that lies about 13 million light-years from Earth in the southern constellation of Sculptor and is noted for being a starburst galaxy with very vigorous star formation and very dusty spiral arms. In the infrared, the rich dust clouds in the galaxy’s spiral arms become nearly transparent and a whole host of cool red stars that are otherwise invisible can be seen. The VISTA infrared images were taken through Y, Z, J, Ks and narrowband filters. The field of view is about 38 by 25 arcminutes.
Credit:
ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA. Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit
About the Image
| Id: | eso1025a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 16 June 2010, 12:00 |
| Related releases: | eso1025 |
| Size: | 6761 x 4501 px |
About the Object
| Name: | NGC 253 |
| Type: | • Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral • Galaxies |
| Distance: | 13 million light years |
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
| Infrared Z |
Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) VIRCAM |
| Infrared Y |
Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) VIRCAM |
| Infrared Near-IR |
Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) VIRCAM |
| Infrared K |
Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) VIRCAM |
| Infrared J |
Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) VIRCAM |
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