The topsy-turvy galaxy NGC 1313*
The central parts of the starburst galaxy NGC 1313. The very active state of this galaxy is very evident from the image, showing many star formation regions. A great number of supershell nebulae, that is, cocoon of gas inflated and etched by successive bursts of star formation, are visible. The green nebulosities are regions emitting in the ionised oxygen lines and may harbour clusters with very hot stars. This colour-composite is based on images obtained with the FORS1 instrument on one of the 8.2-m Unit Telescope of ESO's Very Large Telescope, located at Cerro Paranal. The data were obtained in the night of 16 December 2003, through different broad- (R, B, and z) and narrow-band filters (H-alpha, OI, and OIII).
This image is available as a mounted image in the ESOshop.
Credit:ESO
About the Image
| Id: | eso0643a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 23 November 2006 |
| Related releases: | eso0643 |
| Size: | 2007 x 1811 px |
About the Object
| Name: | NGC 1313 |
| Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral |
| Distance: | 20 million light years |
| Constellation: | Reticulum |
| Category: | Galaxies |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 3 18 15.78 |
| Position (Dec): | -66° 29' 51.69" |
| Field of view: | 6.70 x 6.05 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 0.0° right of vertical |
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
|---|---|
| Optical R | Very Large Telescope FORS1 |
| Optical B | Very Large Telescope FORS1 |
| Optical Oii | Very Large Telescope FORS1 |
| Optical Oiii | Very Large Telescope FORS1 |
| Infrared Z | Very Large Telescope FORS1 |
| Optical H-alpha | Very Large Telescope FORS1 |