Galaxy IC 4653 is about 80 million lightyears away, meaning that when astronomers observe it, they are seeing the galaxy as it existed 80 million years ago.
We can learn a lot from a galaxy by looking at it, such as the bright blue pockets that pepper its spiralling arms.
These mark regions of star formation, as younger stars generally burn much fiercer than older stars and glow bright blue as a result.
Image stats
- Observatory Hubble Space Telescope
- Release date 21 October 2019
- Image credit ESA/Hubble & NASA, D. Rosario (CEA, Durham University)
