Spiral galaxy NGC 1232

This image is of the central region of the large spiral galaxy NGC 1232 and was obtained on September 21, 1998, during a period of good observing conditions. It is based on three exposures in ultra-violet, blue and red light, respectively. This central area contains older stars of reddish colour.

Images eso9845d and eso9845e are based on a composite of three images taken behind three different filters: U (360 nm; 10 min), B (420 nm; 6 min) and R (600 nm; 2:30 min) during a period of 0.7 arcsec seeing. The fields shown measure 6.8 x 6.8 arcmin and 1.6 x 1.8 arcmin, respectively. North is up; East is to the left.