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, Ksand 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
Distance:13 million light years
Constellation:Sculptor
Category:Galaxies

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Coordinates

Position (RA):0 47 30.12
Position (Dec):-25° 17' 22.08"
Field of view:38.44 x 25.59 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 43.2° left of vertical