Spiral Galaxy NGC 300
Explanation:
NGC 300 is so interesting because it is so normal.
An
Sc-type
spiral galaxy
in the nearby
Sculptor group of galaxies,
NGC 300 shows typical flowing blue
spiral arms,
an expected
compact nucleus,
and the requisite amount of
stars,
star clusters, and
nebulae.
Therefore, studying
NGC 300 should indicate how, exactly, a normal
spiral galaxy works.
Toward this goal,
NGC 300 and the surrounding area
were studied in exquisite detail,
creating and combining a series of
high-resolution images to create the
above conglomerate picture.
NGC 300 lies only 7 million
light years away, spans nearly the same amount of sky as the
full moon,
and is visible with a small
telescope toward the
constellation of
Sculptor.
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.
