Sunflower Galaxy (M63, NGC 5055), infrared image. This spiral galaxy is 37 million light years from Earth, in the constellation of Canes Venatici. Thi

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Sunflower Galaxy (M63, NGC 5055), infrared image. This spiral galaxy is 37 million light years from Earth, in the constellation of Canes Venatici. This image was obtained with the IRAC and MIPS instruments on the Spitzer Space Telescope. Infrared radiation of increasing wavelength (decreasing temperature) has been color-coded blue, green, and red. Infrared light shows the structure of dust lanes in galaxies such as this. This view show the galactic core shining brightly, and complex structures in the galaxy's spiral arms and dust lanes (red). Both are places where new stars are being born. Image published in 2011.

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Size: 2965px × 2965px
Photo credit: © NASA/JPL-CALTECH/SINGS TEAM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1, 2011, 5055, arms, array, astronomical, astronomy, astrophysical, astrophysics, camera, canes, core, dust, formation, galactic, galaxy, image, imaging, infrared, irac, lanes, m63, mips, multiband, ngc, nucleus, photometer, single, space, spiral, spitzer, sst, star, sunflower, telescope, universe, venatici