Credit & Copyright: 1.1 Meter Hall Telescope,
Lowell Observatory,
Bill Keel
(U. Alabama)
Explanation:
The
Milky Way Galaxy is not alone. It is part of a
gathering of about 25 galaxies known as the
Local Group.
Members include the
Great Andromeda Galaxy (M31),
M32,
M33, the
Large Magellanic Clouds, the
Small Magellanic Clouds,
Dwingeloo 1, several small
irregular galaxies, and many
dwarf elliptical
galaxies. Pictured is one of the many dwarf ellipticals: NGC 205. Like
M32, NGC 205 is a companion to the large M31, and can sometimes be seen to
the south of
M31's center in
photographs. The
above image
shows this galaxy to be unusual for an
elliptical galaxy
in that it contains at least two
dust clouds (at 7 and 11
o'clock - they are visible but hard to spot) and signs of recent star
formation. This galaxy is sometimes known as M110, although it was
actually not part of
Messier's original catalog.
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
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& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: NGC 205 - Local Group of Galaxies
Publications with words: NGC 205 - Local Group of Galaxies
See also: