Astronomers using the MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile have captured a beautiful image of the central region of the galaxy NGC 1365.
The MUSE instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope captured this image of NGC 1365 in optical and infrared light, showing the gas and dust in the central region of the galaxy. Image credit: ESO / TIMER Survey.
NGC 1365 is a large double-barred spiral galaxy located about 55 million light-years away in the southern constellation of Fornax.
Otherwise known as LEDA 13179, ESO 358-17 and IRAS 03317-3618, the galaxy is a member of the Fornax Cluster, a group of more than 50 known galaxies.
NGC 1365 is a striking example of its type, the prominent bar passing through the central core of the galaxy, and the spiral arms emerging from the ends of the bar.
In keeping with the nature of cluster galaxies, there is more to NGC 1365 than meets the eye.
NGC 1365 is also classified as a Seyfert galaxy, with a bright active galactic nucleus also containing a supermassive black hole at its center.
“NGC 1365 is known as the great barred spiral galaxy, after its two central bar-shaped structures, made up of stars,” ESO astronomers said.
“Its two bars are a rare phenomenon and are thought to have originated by the combined effects of galaxy rotation and the complex dynamics of the stars.”
“Its largest bar of stars, too large for its structure to be visible in this image, connects its outer spiral arms to its center.”
“What we can see is the much smaller second bar of stars, nestled within the main bar,” they added.
“It is likely this secondary bar acts independently of the main bar, rotating more rapidly than the rest of the galaxy.”
