Posted on 11/03/2025 11:50:53 AM PST by MtnClimber
Explanation: What could cause the center of M94 to be so bright? Spiral galaxy M94 has a ring of newly formed stars surrounding its nucleus, giving it not only an unusual appearance but also a strong interior glow. A leading progenitor hypothesis holds that an elongated knot of stars known as a bar rotates in M94 and has generated a burst of star formation in the inner ring. Recent observations have revealed the outer, fainter ring is not closed and relatively complex. M94, pictured here spans about 30,000 light years, lies about 15 million light years away, and can be seen with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Hunting Dogs (Canes Venatici).
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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.
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Beautiful.
Thanks for adding these additional photos. Great resolution.
Looks like a galaxy in a galaxy in a galaxy.
APOD posted Full Moon Silhouettes at least four times. Certainly counts as a favorite in my book:
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap211010.html
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap171204.html
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140907.html
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130130.html
The Blue Eyeball Galaxy
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