NGC 7793
Sig05 017

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Kennicutt (University of Arizona) and the SINGS legacy team

Observation • September 15th, 2005 • sig05-017

sig05-017

Galaxy NGC 7793, located approximately 10 million light-years away, is a member of the Sculptor group of galaxies. This galaxy cluster, named after the constellation in which it resides, is one of the closest to our own Local Group of galaxies. This image was captured as part of the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxy Survey (SINGS) Legacy Project using the telescope's Infrared Array Camera (IRAC).

As the "glowing" red emission maps out, Spitzer is able to pierce through dense clouds of gas and dust that comprise the spiral disk, revealing new star formation that is driving the evolution of the galaxy.

The SINGS image is a four channel color composite, where blue indicates emission at 3.6 microns, green corresponds to 4.5 microns, and red to 5.8 and 8.0 microns. The contribution from starlight (measured at 3.6 microns) in this picture has been subtracted from the 5.8 and 8 micron images to enhance the visibility of the dust features.

About the Object

Name
NGC 7793
Type
Galaxy > Type > Spiral
Galaxy > Activity > Starburst
Distance
10,000,000 Light Years
Redshift
0.000757

Color Mapping

Band Wavelength Telescope
Infrared 3.6 µm Spitzer IRAC
Infrared 4.5 µm Spitzer IRAC
Infrared 5.8 µm Spitzer IRAC
Infrared 8.0 µm Spitzer IRAC

Astrometrics

Position (J2000)
RA =23h 57m 45.1s
Dec = -32° 41' 12.6"
Field of View
12.4 x 12.4 arcminutes
Orientation
North is 152.6° right of vertical