Hubble Space Telescope Snaps Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 7541 (Photo Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Riess et al.)
New Delhi:
Hubble Space Telescope, which belongs to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), snapped mesmerising image of a galaxy NGC 7541. It is to be noted that NGC 7541 resides approximately 103.7 million light-years away in the constellation of Pisces (the Fishes).
Also known as LEDA 70795 or UGC 12447, the galaxy has a diameter of 125,000 light-years. It was discovered by the German-born British astronomer William Herschel on August 30, 1785. Along with the spiral galaxy NGC 7537, it makes up a pair of galaxies known as KPG 578 or Holm 805. NGC 7541 is officially classified as a barred spiral galaxy.
In a statement, Hubble said, “A barred spiral is a galaxy with whirling, pinwheeling, spiral arms, and a bright center that is intersected by a bar of gas and stars. This bar cuts directly through the galaxy's central region, and is thought to invigorate the region somewhat, sparking activity and fueling myriad processes that may otherwise have never occurred or have previously ground to a halt.”
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“NGC 7541 is actually observed to have a higher-than-usual star formation rate, adding weight to the theory that spiral bars act as stellar nurseries, corralling and funneling inward the material and fuel needed to create and nurture new baby stars. This galaxy and its nearby companion NGC 7537 make up a pair of galaxies located about 110 million light-years away from us,” it added.
