Unveiling the Mysteries of the Hydrus Constellation
WASHINGTON – Astronomers from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), utilizing the extraordinary capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope, have successfully composed and released a magnificent image of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1511. The picture offers a captivating glimpse into the vastness and structural beauty of the cosmos.
NGC 1511 is situated in the Hydrus constellation, lying at an astonishing distance of approximately 50 million light-years from Earth.
A Discovery from the 19th Century
This spiral galaxy was initially discovered by the English astronomer John Herschel on November 2, 1834. NGC 1511 serves as the central and primary member of a group of galaxies collectively known as the NGC 1511 Group.
In their statement, the Hubble researchers revealed that, like many galaxies, NGC 1511 is not traversing space in isolation. It is accompanied by two smaller companion galaxies, NGC 1511A and NGC 1511B, though these companions are outside the scope of the recently released Hubble image. Furthermore, the experts indicated that these three galaxies are physically linked by a narrow filament of hydrogen gas, a fascinating phenomenon in galactic evolution.
