Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 1365
Credit & Copyright: D. Malin (AAO),
AATB
Explanation:
Many spiral galaxies have bars across their centers. Even our own
Milky Way Galaxy is
thought to have a bar, but perhaps not so
prominent as the one in NGC 1365, shown above.
The persistence and motion of the bar imply relatively
massive spiral arms. The placements of bright young
blue stars and dark dust lanes also indicate a strong rotating
density wave of star formation. NGC 1365 is a member of the
Fornax
Cluster of Galaxies. Because NGC 1365 is relatively nearby,
simultaneous measurements of its speed and distance are possible,
which help
astronomers estimate
how fast our universe is expanding.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
