Astronomy Picture of the Day - NGC 55: A Galaxy of Nebulas

NASA ^ | 26 Jan, 2026 | Image Credit & Copyright: Wolfgang Promper; Text: Ogetay Kayali (MTU)

[MtnClimber]

Explanation: Can you see nebulas in other galaxies? Yes, some nebulas shine brightly enough -- if you know how to look. Clouds of hydrogen and oxygen emit light at very specific colors, and by isolating them, astronomers and astrophotographers can reveal structures that would otherwise be too faint to notice. This deep, 50-hour exposure highlights glowing hydrogen (red) and oxygen (blue) across galaxy NGC 55, viewed nearly edge-on. Also known as the String of Pearls Galaxy, NGC 55 is often compared to our Milky Way's satellite galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), although NGC 55 lies much farther away at about 6.5 million light-years. The resulting image uncovers a sprinkling of emission nebulas within and sometimes above the galaxy's dusty disk, offering a detailed look at distant star-forming regions.

[MtnClimber]

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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.

[MtnClimber]

[No name given]

Wow.

[MtnClimber]

Pinging the APOD list

🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔

[TigersEye]

It’s a nebulous galaxy ... with a bad rash. :D

[BradyLS]

“A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…”

[BBB333]

Genesis 1:1

Awe inspiring...

[Deaf and Discerning]

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away....

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,
The stars drifted softly in their luminous ballet;
The nebulae shimmered in quiet array,
And not a creature was stirring — not even old Yoda calling it a day.

[SkyDancer]

Placed there for your viewing pleasure way back when.

[ek_hornbeck]

When I was about 10-11 years old, I got a small telescope as a Christmas gift. Seeing the Orion Nebula for the first time - not as a picture, but in "life", was a really exciting moment in my childhood. I've loved looking at/for nebulas (nebulae?) ever since.

A cluster of nebulas? Better yet!

[doorgunner69]

So, the galaxy looks a lot different in “normal” viewing.

Be fun to compare images.

[MtnClimber]

NGC 55 in normal color:

[Ronald77]

Are the colors real or an artist conception.