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Credit & Copyright: Dietmar Hager,
Eric Benson
Explanation:
Large spiral galaxy NGC 4945 is seen nearly
edge-on
in this cosmic galaxy close-up.
It's almost the size of our
Milky Way Galaxy.
NGC 4945's own dusty disk, young blue star clusters, and pink star
forming regions stand out in the colorful telescopic frame.
About 13 million light-years distant toward the
expansive
southern constellation
Centaurus,
NGC 4945 is only about six times farther away than Andromeda,
the nearest large spiral galaxy to the Milky Way.
Though this galaxy's central region is largely hidden from
view for optical telescopes, X-ray and infrared observations indicate
significant
high energy emission and star formation in the core
of NGC 4945.
Its obscured but active nucleus qualifies the gorgeous island
universe as a Seyfert galaxy
and home to a central supermassive black hole.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: spiral galaxy - active galaxy
Publications with words: spiral galaxy - active galaxy
See also:
- APOD: 2026 January 14 Á M51: The Whirlpool Galaxy
- IC 342: Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis
- NGC 253: Dusty Island Universe
- APOD: 2025 November 5 Á Spiral Galaxy NGC 3370 from Hubble
- APOD: 2025 December 2 Á M77: Spiral Galaxy with an Active Center
- Portrait of NGC 1055
- APOD: 2025 September 4 Á NGC 4565: Galaxy on Edge