11
Feb 16

The sleeping giant

Source: ESA/Hubble Photo Release heic1602

heic1602aThe sleeping giant NGC 4889.
Image credits: NASA & ESA.

The placid appearance of NGC 4889 can fool the unsuspecting observer. But the elliptical galaxy, pictured in this new image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, harbours a dark secret. At its heart lurks one of the most massive black holes ever discovered.(learn more)

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11
Feb 16

A Star’s Moment in the Spotlight

Source: ESO Photo Release eso1605

eso1605aYoung star lights up reflection nebula IC 2631.
Image credits: ESO

A newly formed star lights up the surrounding cosmic clouds in this new image from ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. Dust particles in the vast clouds that surround the star HD 97300 diffuse its light, like a car headlight in enveloping fog, and create the reflection nebula IC 2631. Although HD 97300 is in the spotlight for now, the very dust that makes it so hard to miss heralds the birth of additional, potentially scene-stealing, future stars. (learn more)

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