NGC 6946, also known as the Fireworks Galaxy.
NGC 6946, also known as the Fireworks Galaxy, is an intermediate spiral galaxy in Cepheus. NGC 6946 is one of the nearest giant spiral galaxies beyond the local group. It has a high level of star formation throughout its disk in addition to a strong nuclear starburst region. NGC 6946 has a peculiar multiple arm spiral structure which coalesces into four dominant spiral arms. NGC 6946 has an unusually large halo of neutral gas that extends out of the plane of the disk, rotating at a slower velocity than the disk.
Size: 3172px × 3179px
Photo credit: © Robert Gendler/Stocktrek Images / Alamy / Afripics
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