The Dusty Barred Sculptor Galaxy

Spitzer_ssc2013-07a3_1024

spitzer_ssc2013-07a3 August 22nd, 2013

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The spectacular dusty swirling arms and central bar of the Sculptor galaxy are revealed in this new view from NASAs Spitzer Space Telescope. The main image is an infrared composite combining data from two of Spitzers detectors taken during its early cold, or cryogenic, mission.

Also known as NGC 253, the Sculptor galaxy is part of a cluster of galaxies visible to observers in the Southern hemisphere. It is known as a starburst galaxy for the extraordinarily strong star formation in its nucleus. This activity warms the surrounding dust clouds, causing the brilliant yellow-red glow in the center of this infrared image. Regions of star formation glow especially bright at the longest wavelengths (red).

Infrared light with wavelengths of 8.0 microns is rendered in green, and 24-micron emission is red.

Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope

Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/5638-ssc2013-07a3-The-Dusty-Barred-Sculptor-Galaxy

Curator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA

Image Use Policy: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy

Image Details

Image Type
Observation
Object Name
Sculptor Galaxy NGC 253
Subject - Local Universe
Galaxy > Type > Spiral
Galaxy > Type > Barred
Galaxy > Activity > Starburst

Distance

Universescale2
11,400,000 light years
Spitzer_ssc2013-07a3_128
 

Position Details

Position (ICRS)
RA = 0h 47m 34.2s
DEC = -25° 17’ 58.4”
Orientation
North is 37.2° CCW
Field of View
34.6 x 29.2 arcminutes
Constellation
Sculptor

Color Mapping

  Telescope Spectral Band Wavelength
Blue Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Near-IR) 3.6 µm
Cyan Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Near-IR) 4.5 µm
Green Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Mid-IR) 8.0 µm
Red Spitzer (MIPS) Infrared (Mid-IR) 24.0 µm
Spectrum_ir1
Blue
Cyan
Green
Red
Spitzer_ssc2013-07a3_1280
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ID
ssc2013-07a3
Subject Category
C.5.1.1   C.5.1.2   C.5.3.3  
Subject Name
Sculptor Galaxy, NGC 253
Credits
NASA/JPL-Caltech
Release Date
2013-08-22
Lightyears
11,400,000
Redshift
0.000811
Reference Url
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/5638-ssc2013-07a3-The-Dusty-Barred-Sculptor-Galaxy
Type
Observation
Image Quality
Good
Distance Notes
Facility
Spitzer, Spitzer, Spitzer, Spitzer
Instrument
IRAC, IRAC, IRAC, MIPS
Color Assignment
Blue, Cyan, Green, Red
Band
Infrared, Infrared, Infrared, Infrared
Bandpass
Near-IR, Near-IR, Mid-IR, Mid-IR
Central Wavelength
3600, 4500, 8000, 24000
Start Time
Integration Time
307.08
Dataset ID
Notes
Coordinate Frame
ICRS
Equinox
J2000
Reference Value
11.8925589, -25.2995642
Reference Dimension
3200.0, 2700.0
Reference Pixel
1601.0, 1351.0
Scale
0.000180108, 0.00018010829
Rotation
37.19
Coordinate System Projection:
TAN
Quality
Full
FITS Header
Notes
WCS retrieved using CXCs PinpointWCS
Creator (Curator)
Spitzer Space Telescope
URL
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu
Name
Email
Telephone
Address
1200 E. California Blvd.
City
Pasadena
State/Province
CA
Postal Code
91125
Country
USA
Rights
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy
Publisher
Spitzer Science Center
Publisher ID
spitzer
Resource ID
ssc2013-07a3.tif
Metadata Date
2013-08-23
Metadata Version
1.1
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Detailed color mapping information coming soon...

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Universescalefull
11,400,000 light years

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