Public domain
Elegant spiral hides a hungry monster
From the collection of NASA Image and Video Library. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
NGC 4639 is a beautiful example of a type of galaxy known as a barred spiral. It lies over 70 million light-years away in the constellation of Virgo and is one of about 1500 galaxies that make up the Virgo Cluster. In this image, taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, one can clearly see the bar running through the bright, round core of the galaxy. Bars are found in around two thirds of spiral galaxies, and are thought to be a natural phase in their evolution.
NASA Image and Video Library’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineElegant spiral hides a hungry monster. NASA/GSFC, 2015-10-12. Public domain. ID: hubble-sees-elegant-spiral-hiding-a-hungry-monster_22037110968_o.
