Posted on 05/15/2008 2:46:07 PM PDT by sig226
Explanation: Dark dust lanes cut across the middle of this gorgeous island universe, a strong hint that NGC 3628 is a spiral galaxy seen sideways. About 35 million light-years away in the northern springtime constellation Leo, NGC 3628 also bears the distinction of being the only member of the well known Leo triplet of galaxies not in Charles Messier's famous catalog. Otherwise similar in size to our Milky Way Galaxy, the disk of NGC 3628 is clearly seen to fan out near the edges. A faint arm of material also extends to the left in this sharp and deep view of the region. The distorted shape and faint tidal tail suggest that NGC 3628 is interacting gravitationally with the other spiral galaxies in the Leo triplet, M66 and M65.
(That's Francis Bacon below)
Awesome picture. I’m so used to seeing galaxies in a “2D” format, but I’ve never seen one from the side!
kinda looks like a cosmic taco... yumm tacos...
God’s own Rorschach test...
“Dog bone!”
I really appreciate these posts......nice break from the news.....
Seconded!
Looks like a flash drive in space.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.