'45 million light-years away': NASA's Hubble Telescope captures small spiral galaxy that was discovered 126 years ago
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Location and Discovery
The spiral galaxy IC 1954 is located approximately 45 million light-years away in the southern constellation of Horologium. It was first discovered in 1898 by Scottish astronomer Robert Innes.
Galactic Characteristics
Known by several designations, including ESO 200-36 and IRAS 03300-5204, IC 1954 has a diameter of about 20,000 light-years. The galaxy features a bright central bar and spiral arms that exhibit dark clouds of dust.
Galaxy Group Membership
IC 1954 is part of the LGG 93 galaxy group, also referred to as the IC 1954 group, which comprises four other galaxies.
New Imaging Data
The Hubble Space Telescope team has released a new image of IC 1954, which includes H-alpha data, enhancing the visualization of star-forming regions in the galaxy.
Star Formation Activity
The updated image reveals numerous glowing pink spots across IC 1954's disk, indicating areas of active star formation. These regions emit red H-alpha light, a signature of ionized hydrogen.
Galactic Bar Speculation
Some astronomers theorize that the galaxy's central bar might be an energetic star-forming region rather than a traditional bar structure, contributing to the active star formation observed.
Imaging Techniques
The color image of IC 1954 was generated using the Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and involved exposures across the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectrum using six different filters to capture various wavelengths.
Broader Research Goals
This observation of IC 1954 is part of a larger survey involving over fifty nearby galaxies. The data collected will aid in understanding the evolution of stars and the dynamics of matter within galaxies. Future research will be enhanced by data from the James Webb Space Telescope as it continues its scientific missions.