Spiral Galaxy M83
Credit & Copyright: D. Malin (AAO),
AATB
Explanation:
The long winding arms of this nearby spiral
galaxy define it as the "Southern Pinwheel." But
M83
is quite a typical spiral - much like our own
Milky Way
Galaxy. Spiral galaxies contains
many billions of stars, the youngest of which inhabit the spiral
arms and glow strongly in blue light. Dark
dust
lanes are mixed in with the stars and help define
M83's
marked spiral structure. The space between the spiral arms is
also filled with stars - but stars that are typically more dim
and red.
M83
has shown an unusual amount of stellar
supernovae
explosions - six since the turn of the century - more than any
other Messier galaxy.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
