Hubble Shares Image of IC 2233, the Needle Galaxy
Posted on December 22, 2012
Astronauts working on the Hubble have shared this image of IC 2233, which is also known as the Needle galaxy. IC 2233 is one of the flattest known galaxies in the Universe. NASA says in a release that the diameter of IC 2233 is at least ten times larger than the thickness.
The bluish color indicates young stars being born out of clouds of interstellar gas. IC 2233 is located 40 million light years from Earth. It was discovered by British astronomer Isaac Roberts in 1894. You can find a larger version of the above image here.
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