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Astronomy Picture of the Day - NGC 3660 and Burçin's Galaxy
NASA ^
| 26 May, 2026
| Image Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, El Sauce Obs.
Posted on 05/26/2026 12:15:28 PM PDT by MtnClimber
Explanation: The upper galaxy might be more photogenic, but the lower galaxy is more unusual. The galaxy up top is NGC 3660, a spiral galaxy similar to our own Milky Way galaxy in that it has several bright blue spiral arms and a central bar of stars, dust, and gas. Captured by chance in the featured deep and colorful image, surprisingly, is SN 2026cff, a supernova found just to the right of the central bar. Farther in the distance is the bottom galaxy, known informally as Burçin’s galaxy, but formally cataloged as LEDA 1000714. The center of this galaxy appears to be an old elliptical galaxy, but it is strangely surrounded by not one but two rings of stars. What created Burçin's galaxy is a mystery and remains a continuing topic of research, but it likely involves the accretion of one or more smaller galaxies.
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.
To: MtnClimber
2
posted on
05/26/2026 12:15:50 PM PDT
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: MtnClimber
3
posted on
05/26/2026 12:16:10 PM PDT
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: 21stCenturion; 21twelve; 4everontheRight; A Navy Vet; A_perfect_lady; abb; AFB-XYZ; AFPhys; ...
Pinging the APOD list
🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔
4
posted on
05/26/2026 12:16:47 PM PDT
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: MtnClimber
I think that’s my first supernova.
To: MtnClimber
6
posted on
05/26/2026 12:37:27 PM PDT
by
No name given
( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
To: MtnClimber
7
posted on
05/26/2026 12:41:43 PM PDT
by
No name given
( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
To: ComputerGuy
8
posted on
05/26/2026 12:46:55 PM PDT
by
sit-rep
(START DEMANDING INDICTMENTS NOW!!!!!)
To: MtnClimber; FRiends
Those are my favorite type of Fireworks on the 4th of July!
Don’t forget the ‘Blue Moon’ on May 31st, too.
9
posted on
05/26/2026 1:33:54 PM PDT
by
Diana in Wisconsin
(I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
To: MtnClimber
10
posted on
05/26/2026 3:06:06 PM PDT
by
telescope115
(Ad Astra, Ad Deum…)
To: MtnClimber
The center of this galaxy appears to be an old elliptical galaxy, but it is strangely surrounded by not one but two rings of stars.
Why can I see only one ring?
To: eastsider
Even zooming in I only see one ring. Maybe there is another faint ring that does not show up well.
12
posted on
05/27/2026 11:05:52 AM PDT
by
MtnClimber
(For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
To: MtnClimber
Great Astronomy Pics. The Game pictures great. The packing climb a true adventure.Nepal as well. Thanks for sharing !
13
posted on
05/27/2026 11:27:45 AM PDT
by
skinny old man
(Still lurking and posting after all these years(27 yrs ?)(more ?)(seems like more...))
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