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11. Why Spiral Galaxies Are So Fascinating
There’s something about spiral galaxies that naturally fascinates astronomers and space lovers alike.
- Symmetry and Beauty: Their arms form mesmerizing, recognizable patterns.
- Star Birth: Active regions give vital clues about how stars form and evolve.
- Clues to Cosmic History: Their structure and dynamics reveal information about dark matter, galactic dynamics, and more.
- Fun fact: our very own Milky Way is actually a barred spiral galaxy too!
Studying galaxies like NGC 2985 helps scientists unlock secrets about the universe’s structure and future.
12. How Hubble Brought NGC 2985 Into Focus: A Triumph of Modern Technology
The breathtaking image of NGC 2985 comes from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990.
Details of the imaging:
- Instrument Used: Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS)
- Filters: Four optical filters in order to observe different wavelengths
- Processing: Images combined and color-corrected to bring out subtle details
- Release Date: July 15, 2019
Thanks to Hubble’s unparalleled resolution and sensitivity, we can study NGC 2985’s intricate structure in extraordinary detail.
