Hubble Space Telescope Captures Stunning Image of Distant Spiral Galaxy
In a remarkable new image, the Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled the mesmerizing beauty of a spiral galaxy located 230 million light-years away in the constellation Aquila. This galaxy, known as UGC 11537, is approximately ten times farther than the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), which is one of the few galaxies visible to the naked eye from Earth.
The European Space Agency (ESA) reported that UGC 11537 is positioned near the plane of the Milky Way, where a dense concentration of stars resides. Interestingly, the recent image also features two starry interlopers that are closer to our planet. These are surrounded by diffraction spikes, which are imaging artifacts caused by starlight interacting with the structure supporting Hubble's secondary mirror.
This stunning capture was part of Hubble's ongoing search for supermassive black holes embedded within these stellar structures. The image was made possible thanks to Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3, which has been restored to full functionality after NASA successfully resolved synchronization glitches that had previously taken all four of its science instruments offline.
As we marvel at the wonders of the universe through Hubble's lens, the continued exploration of distant galaxies offers insights into the vastness of space and the intricate dance of celestial bodies.
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