In a festive cosmic display ahead of Christmas, NASA has shared a breathtaking image of galaxy UGC 8091 that resembles a “sparkly snow globe.” Located 7 million light-years away in the Virgo constellation, this irregular dwarf galaxy adds a touch of celestial wonder to the holiday season.
The image, captured with data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope’s Wide Field Camera 3 and the Advanced Camera for Surveys, showcases the galaxy’s unorderly shape. UGC 8091 hosts a billion stars, contributing to the mesmerizing visual spectacle. The irregular shape of the galaxy is likened to a “space version of a sparkly snow globe” by NASA.
The image, created by combining twelve camera filters, represents data gathered from 2006 to 2021. The patches of red in the image signify light emitted by excited hydrogen molecules in hot, energetic stars resulting from recent starbursts. The glittering lights represent a mix of older stars, each contributing to the stunning cosmic panorama.
In a press note, NASA highlights that astronomers are currently investigating the composition of dwarf galaxies like UGC 8091 and their stars to uncover the evolutionary links between these ancient galaxies and more modern ones, such as our own Milky Way.
Caption for Instagram Post
“Walking in a galactic wonderland! In the constellation Virgo about 7 million light-years from Earth, you’ll find a billion stars in this dwarf galaxy. It’s considered an irregular galaxy because of its unorderly shape which resembles a space version of a sparkly snow globe. 🌌✨ #CosmicWonder #NASA #GalacticBeauty”
On social media, the post has garnered widespread appreciation, accumulating over 241,000 likes. Users have expressed awe and wonder, describing the image as incredible and acknowledging the limitless beauty of the universe.
Read Now:2023 Predicted to Be Warmest Year on Record, Exceeding 1.5°C Threshold
