Using the MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) at Paranal Observatory in Chile, astronomers have imaged bright regions of star formation in the central region of the barred spiral galaxy Messier 83.
This image shows thousands of newly-formed stars in the central part of Messier 83. This image is made up of observations from VLT’s MUSE instrument in the optical part of the spectrum. It is based on data obtained through six filters. The color results from assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter. Image credit: TIMER Survey / ESO.
Messier 83 is located 15 million light-years away in the southern constellation of Hydra.
This galaxy was discovered by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille on February 23, 1752.
It has an apparent magnitude of 7.5 and is one of the brightest spiral galaxies in the night sky. It can be observed using a pair of binoculars most easily in May.
Also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, M83, NGC 5236, LEDA 48082 and UGCA 366, Messier 83 is about twice as small as the Milky Way.
The galaxy is a member of a group of galaxies known as the Centaurus A/M83 Group, which also counts the dusty NGC 5128 (Centaurus A) and the irregular galaxy NGC 5253 as members.
Messier 83’s center is mysterious and unusual, and hosts a double nucleus. This does not mean that the galaxy contains two central supermassive black holes, but that its single central black hole may be ringed by a lopsided disk of stars, which orbits around the black hole and creates the appearance of a dual core.
The galaxy has hosted quite many supernova explosions and is known to be a site of vigorous star formation.
“With the right conditions, and commonly within the spiral arms of a galaxy, cold molecular clouds mostly composed of hydrogen gas can collapse and form into brand new stars,” ESO astronomers said.
“In larger clouds, the burning of a new star can create a domino effect, initiating the collapse of the surrounding gas into even more stars.”
“Within a galaxy’s center however, other processes are at play,” they said.
“The supermassive black hole at the center of Messier 83 funnels vast channels of material and matter towards itself.”
“At the same time, it erratically spits matter and large quantities of energy outwards, making the huge amount of star formation around this galaxy’s central region extra messy.”
