Pinwheel firework

In this picture of the week we can see the well-defined arms of the spiral galaxy NGC 4254, also known as the Coma Pinwheel or Messier 99. It’s called a grand design spiral galaxy because of its distinctive pinwheel shape with prominent arms. Since Charles Messier first observed it in the 18th century, modern technology has allowed us to observe galaxies like this in significantly greater detail.

This image is a composite of data taken with ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), co-owned by ESO. The VLT data, shown in blue and purple tones, was captured with the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument, mapping the distribution of stars. The ALMA data –– shown here by the red and orange regions –– originates from cold clouds of gas which can eventually collapse into stars. Comparing these two datasets allows for a better understanding of how stars form.

This image was taken as part of the Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS (PHANGS) survey, which produces high-resolution images of nearby galaxies across all wavelengths of light. This will allow astronomers to learn more about the diverse range of galactic environments found in our Universe.

Credit:

ESO/PHANGS

About the Image

Id:potw2243a
Type:Observation
Release date:24 October 2022, 06:00
Size:932 x 800 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 4254
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral
Constellation:Coma Berenices
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
229.4 KB
Screensize JPEG
197.1 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x768
231.5 KB
1280x1024
322.9 KB
1600x1200
408.0 KB
1920x1200
438.1 KB
2048x1536
558.4 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):12 18 50.75
Position (Dec):14° 25' 15.75"
Field of view:3.10 x 2.67 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 89.9° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
G
475 nmVery Large Telescope
MUSE
Optical
R
625 nmVery Large Telescope
MUSE
Millimeter
CO [2–1]
1.2 mmAtacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array
Band 6
Optical
I
775 nmVery Large Telescope
MUSE