NGC 1365: A Nearby Barred Spiral Galaxy
Explanation:
Many
spiral galaxies have bars across their centers.
Even our own
Milky Way Galaxy is
thought to have a bar, but perhaps not so
prominent as the one in NGC 1365,
shown above.
The persistence and motion of the
bar imply relatively
massive spiral arms.
The placements of
bright young blue stars and dark
dust lanes also
indicate a strong rotating
density wave of star formation.
NGC 1365 is a member of the
Fornax Cluster of Galaxies. Because
NGC 1365 is relatively nearby, simultaneous
measurements of its
speed and distance are possible, which help
astronomers estimate
how fast our universe is expanding.
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.
