|
Credit & Copyright: Alberto Pisabarro
Explanation:
A bright spiral galaxy of the northern sky,
Messier 63
is nearby,
about 30 million light-years distant toward the loyal constellation
Canes Venatici.
Also cataloged as NGC 5055, the majestic
island universe
is nearly 100,000 light-years across, about the size
of our own Milky Way.
Its bright core
and majestic
spiral arms lend the galaxy
its popular name, The Sunflower Galaxy.
This exceptionally deep exposure
also follows faint loops and curling star streams far into the galaxy's
halo.
Extending nearly 180,000 light-years from the galactic center,
the star streams are likely remnants of
tidally disrupted
satellites of M63.
Other satellite galaxies of M63 can be spotted in
the remarkable wide-field image,
including dwarf galaxies,
which could contribute to M63's star streams in the next few billion
years.
|
January February March April May |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day