The subject of this Hubble image is LEDA 89996, a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Dorado (Swordfish).
This image shows the Milky Way-like spiral galaxy LEDA 89996. Image credit: ESA / Hubble / NASA.
LEDA 89996, also known as IRAS 04543-6629 or 2MASS J04542829-6625280, is much like our home Milky Way Galaxy.
The disc-shaped galaxy is seen face on, revealing the winding structure of the spiral arms.
The galaxy appears very close to the Large Magellanic Cloud – one of the satellite galaxies of the Milky Way.
Dark patches in the spiral arms of LEDA 89996 are hot gas and dust – the raw materials for new stars.
The many infant stars that form in these regions make the galaxy’s spiral arms appear bluish and bright.
This beautiful image of LEDA 89996 covers only a tiny patch of sky.
It was captured by the Advanced Camera for Surveys, an instrument on the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
This instrument has delivered some of the sharpest views of the Universe so far achieved by mankind.
Amateur astronomer C. Claude submitted a version of this image to the Hubble’s Hidden Treasures image processing competition.
