MMC
04-12-2012, 11:03 PM
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/tSnq27dDlMfeEC_GBrFt1g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9NjIyO2NyPTE7Y3c9MTIwMDtkeD0wO2 R5PTA7Zmk9dWxjcm9wO2g9MzI3O3E9ODU7dz02MzA-/http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/04/12/ufo-galaxy-ngc-2683-jpg_140138.jpg
The Hubble Space Telescope has snapped this new view of the "UFO Galaxy," a spiral galaxy officially known as NGC 2683. The galaxy is seen almost edge-on, giving it the shape of a classic science fiction spaceship.
The Hubble Space Telescope has found a UFO, but this one is filled with stars instead of little green men.
The iconic space telescope snapped an amazing new photo of the "UFO Galaxy" — a galaxy 35 million light-years from Earth that is officially known as NGC 2683.
The galaxy was originally discovered on Feb. 5, 1788 by famed astronomer William Herschel. It is located in the Lynx constellation in the northern sky. But it was astronomers with the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory in Cocoa, Fla., that dubbed NGC 2683 a cosmic UFO.
Astronomers suspect that NGC 2683 is a barred spiral galaxy (http://www.space.com/13262-65-great-galaxy-photos-space-images.html), but the edge-on view from Hubble and other telescopes makes it difficult to see the object's structure directly. The off-kilter vantage point, however, does offer scientists a unique galactic perspective.
"In particular, it gives astronomers a great opportunity to see the delicate dusty lanes of the spiral arms silhouetted against the golden haze of the galaxy’s core," NASA officials explained. "In addition, brilliant clusters of young blue stars shine scattered throughout the disc, mapping the galaxy's star-forming regions.".....snip~
http://news.yahoo.com/ufo-galaxy-spotted-hubble-telescope-105802901.html
Pretty cool picture.....one can see those blue stars clearly. Calling it the UFO Galaxy is a bit misleading. Since we now know they have more than one shape.
The Hubble Space Telescope has snapped this new view of the "UFO Galaxy," a spiral galaxy officially known as NGC 2683. The galaxy is seen almost edge-on, giving it the shape of a classic science fiction spaceship.
The Hubble Space Telescope has found a UFO, but this one is filled with stars instead of little green men.
The iconic space telescope snapped an amazing new photo of the "UFO Galaxy" — a galaxy 35 million light-years from Earth that is officially known as NGC 2683.
The galaxy was originally discovered on Feb. 5, 1788 by famed astronomer William Herschel. It is located in the Lynx constellation in the northern sky. But it was astronomers with the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory in Cocoa, Fla., that dubbed NGC 2683 a cosmic UFO.
Astronomers suspect that NGC 2683 is a barred spiral galaxy (http://www.space.com/13262-65-great-galaxy-photos-space-images.html), but the edge-on view from Hubble and other telescopes makes it difficult to see the object's structure directly. The off-kilter vantage point, however, does offer scientists a unique galactic perspective.
"In particular, it gives astronomers a great opportunity to see the delicate dusty lanes of the spiral arms silhouetted against the golden haze of the galaxy’s core," NASA officials explained. "In addition, brilliant clusters of young blue stars shine scattered throughout the disc, mapping the galaxy's star-forming regions.".....snip~
http://news.yahoo.com/ufo-galaxy-spotted-hubble-telescope-105802901.html
Pretty cool picture.....one can see those blue stars clearly. Calling it the UFO Galaxy is a bit misleading. Since we now know they have more than one shape.