images

Galaxy NGC 253 in Sculptor

by

S.Guisard/Novapix

Reference

a-gax02-53001

Date

2007-02-19

NGC 253 is a spectacular starburst spiral galaxy that is choked with dust. Located about 10 million light years away in the constellation of Sculptor, it is the nearest starburst galaxy to our own Milky Way galaxy. It is called a "starburst" galaxy because of the extremely high rate of star formation taking place in its core. Although located at a fairly low declination for northern hemisphere observers, NGC 253 is easily visible in binoculars, and is an amazing sight in a large telescope.