Spiral galaxy NGC 300 (H-alpha band)
NGC 300, as seen through a narrow optical filter (H-alpha) in the red light of hydrogen atoms. A population of intrinsically bright and young stars turned "on" just a few million years ago. Their radiation and strong stellar winds have shaped many of the clouds of ionized hydrogen gas ("HII shells") seen in this photo. The "rings" near some of the bright stars are caused by internal reflections in the telescope.
Credit:ESO
About the Image
| Id: | eso0221c |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 7 August 2002 |
| Related releases: | eso0221 |
| Size: | 5515 x 4475 px |
About the Object
| Name: | NGC 300 |
| Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral |
| Distance: | 6 million light years |
| Constellation: | Sculptor |
| Category: | Galaxies |
Image Formats
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 0 54 46.84 |
| Position (Dec): | -37° 41' 8.89" |
| Field of view: | 21.86 x 17.75 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 1.6° right of vertical |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
|---|---|
| Optical H-alpha | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |