If not perfect, then this spiral galaxy is at least one of the most photogenic. An island universe containing billions of stars and situated about 40 million light-years away toward the constellation of the Dolphinfish ( Dorado ), NGC 1566 presents a gorgeous face-on view . Classified as a grand design spiral, NGC 1566 shows two prominent and graceful spiral arms that are traced by bright blue star clusters , red emission nebula s, and dark cosmic dust lanes. Numerous Hubble Space Telescope images of NGC 1566 have been taken to study star formation , supernovas , and the spiral's unusually active center. NGC 1566's flaring center makes the spiral one of the closest and brightest Seyfert galaxies , likely housing a central supermassive black hole wreaking havoc on surrounding stars and gas .
Sky Surprise: What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (after 1995)
Media Credits & Attribution
Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA , D. Calzetti & the LEGUS Team , R. Chandar