Photo credit: science.nasa.gov
The Hubble Space Telescope, a collaborative effort between NASA and ESA, has captured a stunning image of the spiral galaxy NGC 5042, located approximately 48 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra, commonly known as the water snake. The galaxy dominates the photograph, with a solitary foreground star from our own Milky Way exhibiting cross-shaped diffraction spikes near the top center of the frame.
This captivating image showcases NGC 5042 in a spectrum of colors, as Hubble observed it across six different wavelength bands, spanning ultraviolet to infrared. The central region of the galaxy appears cream-colored, densely populated with ancient stars, while the galaxy’s spiral arms are adorned with vibrant patches of young blue stars. Scattered throughout the image, elongated yellow-orange shapes represent background galaxies positioned much farther away than NGC 5042 itself.
One of the most captivating aspects of NGC 5042 is the abundant presence of radiant pink gas clouds scattered across its spiral arms. These clouds, identified as H II (pronounced “H-two” for hydrogen-two) regions, derive their distinctive hue from hydrogen atoms that have been ionized by high-energy ultraviolet light emitted by nearby hot stars. Observers who examine the image closely will note that many of these reddish clouds are clustered around groups of blue stars, often appearing to create a shell-like formation around them.
H II regions form within vast clouds of hydrogen gas, and they require the intense energy produced by hot, massive stars to exist. These particular stars, known for their short lifespan, typically only shine brightly for a few million years—a mere moment in the lifespan of a galaxy. Therefore, this image serves as a transient glimpse into the dynamic processes occurring within NGC 5042 at this point in time.
Media Contact:
Claire Andreoli (claire.andreoli@nasa.gov)
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Source
science.nasa.gov