This image, speckled with blue, white, and yellow light, shows part
of the spiral galaxy IC 5052. Surrounded by distant stars and galaxies,
it emits a bright blue-white glow which highlights its narrow,
intricate structure. It is viewed side-on in the constellation of Pavo
(The Peacock), in the southern sky.
When spiral galaxies are viewed from this angle, it is very
difficult to fully understand their properties and how they are
arranged. IC 5052 is actually a barred spiral galaxy – its pinwheeling
arms do not begin from the centre point but are instead attached to
either end of a straight "bar" of stars that cuts through the galaxy's
middle. Approximately two thirds of all spirals are barred, including
the Milky Way.
Bursts of pale blue light are visible across the galaxy's length,
partially blocked out by weaving lanes of darker gas and dust. These
are pockets of extremely hot newborn stars. The bars present in spirals
like IC 5052 are thought to help these formation processes by
effectively funnelling material from the swirling arms inwards towards
these hot stellar nurseries.
A version of this image was submitted to the Hubble's Hidden Treasures image processing competition by contestant Serge Meunier.
