A set of observations checking out the advancement of regional spiral galaxies such as M74 supplied the data for this image. To do this, astronomers examined star clusters to date the different parts of spiral galaxies, enabling them to comprehend how the galaxies assembled over time. Aside from their mission to comprehend the history of spiral galaxies, astronomers also observed M74 to enhance observations from other telescopes.
The arms of the spiral nebula M74, studded with rosy pink areas of fresh star formation, are showcased in this Hubble Space Telescope image. Credit: ESA/Hubble & & NASA, R. Chandar
This sensational image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows the arms of the spiral nebula M74 studded with rosy pink regions of fresh star development. M74– also known as the Phantom Galaxy– lies around 32 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Pisces. It is a familiar sight for Hubble.
The lovely reddish blossoms that spread out throughout M74 are in fact substantial clouds of hydrogen gas. They are made to radiance by the ultraviolet radiation from hot, young stars embedded within them. These regions– which astronomers refer to as H II regions– mark the area of recent star development and are an important target for both area- and ground-based telescopes. Hubbles Advanced Camera for Surveys, which gathered the data in this image, even has a filter specially tailored to choose out only this specific red wavelength of light!
A set of observations exploring the advancement of local spiral galaxies such as M74 supplied the information for this image. To do this, astronomers evaluated star clusters to date the various parts of spiral galaxies, enabling them to understand how the galaxies put together over time.
By ESA/Hubble
August 29, 2022
Aside from their quest to understand the history of spiral galaxies, astronomers also observed M74 to enhance observations from other telescopes. Combining observations of the very same things from various telescopes throughout the electromagnetic spectrum offers far more insight to astronomers than observations from a single telescope would. Hubbles observations likewise paved the method for future instruments; M74 was among the very first targets of the powerful brand-new NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope.
