30 August 2024
The Andromeda Galaxy glows rosy red in a gorgeous new image
© NASA
The rosy-red structures of a nearby galaxy glow brightly in a new image from the Hubble Space Telescope. The Andromeda Galaxy – the Milky Way’s closest galactic neighbour – is located about 2.5 million light years away. Measuring approximately 152,000 light years across, it has nearly the same mass as our Milky Way. A recent Hubble image, released on 30 August, captures a detailed view of the northeast region of the famed galaxy, including its intricately woven spiral arms and swathes of ionised gas that fuel star formation. “The combination of stellar nurseries and supernovae creates a dynamic environment that excites the surrounding hydrogen gas, flourishing it into a garden of star-studded roses,” NASA officials said.