The image shows the irregular galaxy IC 10. This galaxy is a member of the Local Group - a collection of over fifty galaxies in our cosmic environment that includes the Milky Way
The image shows the irregular galaxy IC 10. This galaxy is a member of the Local Group - a collection of over fifty galaxies in our cosmic environment that includes the Milky Way.
IC 10 is an impressive object. It is the closest galaxy to have a burst of star birth, meaning it is undergoing a bout of star formation fueled by a steady supply of cold hydrogen gas. This gas condenses and accumulates into huge molecular clouds and then high pressures and temperatures are created within them. When such a combination reaches the appropriate point, nuclear fusion is sparked and thus new generations of stars grow for them.
As an irregular galaxy, IC 10 lacks the spectacular shape of a spiral galaxy such as the Milky Way, or the round appearance of elliptical galaxies. It is a pale object, despite its relative proximity to us - 2.2 million light years.
In fact, despite its proximity, IC 10 has only been known to mankind since 1887, when the American astronomer Lewis Swift observed it during an observation mission. The small galaxy remains difficult to observe even today because it lies along the right line full of cosmic dust and stars.
For a message on the NASA website
- More of the topic in Hayadan:
- The Hubble space telescope discovered a dwarf galaxy that was not known until now
- Astronomers have prepared the most comprehensive survey of nearby galaxies in the ultraviolet field with the help of Hubble
- A celestial eye turns a piercing gaze to the Hubble Space Telescope that photographed it
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