Journey to Galaxy NGC 1637 in Eridanus | European Southern Observatory

Journey to Galaxy NGC 1637 in Eridanus | European Southern Observatory

This video sequence starts with a view of the bright constellation of Orion (The Hunter). As we zoom in, we focus on an adjacent region of the constellation of Eridanus (The River) and a faint glow appears. This is the spiral galaxy NGC 1637, appearing in all its glory in the final view from the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope at the Paranal Observatory in Chile. In 1999, scientists discovered a Type II supernova in this galaxy and followed its slow fading over the following years.

A Type II (Type 2) supernova is a violent explosion occurring at the end of a massive star's life (at least 8–50 solar masses) caused by the rapid core collapse of an iron core. These events are distinguished by the presence of hydrogen spectral lines and occur in spiral galaxies' star-forming regions, leaving behind a neutron star or black hole.

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Duration: 46 seconds
Release Date: March 20, 2013

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