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Astronomy Picture of the Day - NGC 660: Polar Ring Galaxy
NASA ^ | 18 Dec, 2024 | Image Credit & Copyright: Mike Selby

Posted on 12/18/2024 12:55:46 PM PST by MtnClimber

Explanation: What kind of strange galaxy is this? This rare structure is known as a polar ring galaxy, and it seems to have two different rings of stars. In this galaxy, NGC 660, one ring of bright stars, gas, and dark dust appears nearly vertical, while another similar but shorter ring runs diagonally from the upper left. How polar ring galaxies obtain their striking appearance remains a topic of research, but a leading theory holds that it is usually the result of two galaxies with different central ring planes colliding. NGC 660 spans about 50,000 light years and is located about 40 million light years away toward the constellation of the Fish (Pisces). The featured image was captured recently from Observatorio El Sauce in Chile.


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; nasa
To be added or removed from the Astronomy Picture of the Day ping list please send me a request via "Private Reply" (Mail).

For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.

1 posted on 12/18/2024 12:55:46 PM PST by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

2 posted on 12/18/2024 12:56:06 PM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: 21stCenturion; 21twelve; 4everontheRight; A Navy Vet; A_perfect_lady; abb; AFB-XYZ; AFPhys; ...
Pinging the APOD list

๐Ÿช ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŒŒ ๐Ÿ”

3 posted on 12/18/2024 12:57:04 PM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

...marks the spot!


4 posted on 12/18/2024 12:58:40 PM PST by null and void (Regarding the second Trump presidency, everyone who isnโ€™t terrified is thankful!)
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To: MtnClimber

Imagine the collisions that must occur.


5 posted on 12/18/2024 12:58:45 PM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: null and void
It's the X double Galaxy! Elon Musk owns it.
6 posted on 12/18/2024 1:01:02 PM PST by goldbux (โ€œThe whole world is a very narrow bridge. The main thing is to have no fear at all.โ€ โ€“โ€“ R. Nachman)
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To: goldbux

Musk couldnโ€™t ask for better publicity!


7 posted on 12/18/2024 2:19:09 PM PST by telescope115 (I NEED MY SPACE!!! ๐Ÿ”ญ)
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