The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy in Hydra | Hubble Space Telescope

The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy in Hydra | Hubble Space Telescope

This Hubble image shows the scatterings of bright stars and thick dust that make up spiral galaxy Messier 83, otherwise known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy. One of the largest and closest barred spirals to us, this galaxy is dramatic and mysterious; it has hosted a large number of supernova explosions, and appears to have a double nucleus lurking at its core.

Distance from Earth: 15 million light years

Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
Acknowledgement: William Blair (Johns Hopkins University)
Release Date: Jan. 9, 2014

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