The centre of NGC 253

Close-up of the central regions of the starburst galaxy NGC 253. This image is based on data obtained with the NACO instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the ACS on the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. Thanks to the VLT's sharp eye, astronomers have identified 37 bright regions, a threefold increase on previous results. These regions are probably very active nurseries that contain as many as one hundred thousand young, massive stars bursting from their dusty cocoons. The field of view is 15 arcseconds.

Credit:

ESO/NASA/ESA

About the Image

Id:eso0902b
Type:Observation
Release date:19 January 2009
Related releases:eso0902
Size:812 x 812 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 253
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Activity : Starburst
Distance:11 million light years
Constellation:Sculptor
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEG
182.8 KB
Screensize JPEG
195.7 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
197.1 KB
1280x1024
300.1 KB
1600x1200
403.1 KB
1920x1200
446.2 KB
2048x1536
582.2 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):0 47 33.22
Position (Dec):-25° 17' 18.67"
Field of view:0.38 x 0.38 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 1.2° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Infrared
Near-IR
814 nmHubble Space Telescope
ACS
Infrared
J
1.22 μmVery Large Telescope
NACO
Infrared
L
3.45 μmVery Large Telescope
NACO