A Galaxy on the Edge
Sig13 017b

Observation • November 14th, 2013 • sig13-017b

sig13-017b

The thin edge of a distant spiral galaxy appears in sharp relief in the new image from NASAs Spitzer Space Telescope. Infrared light gives astronomers a unique way of seeing the distribution of stars in such well-aligned galaxies.

This galaxy, called UGC 10288, is located 100 million light-years away. It is spiral in shape, but from our viewpoint on Earth, we are seeing its thin edge. Infrared observations of such edge-on galaxies penetrate the thick clouds of dust that wrap through the spiral arms and block visible light views. The bright glow of dense starfields that run along the galaxy's central plane, and in its core, are easily seen.

This image was taken after Spitzer's liquid coolant ran dry in May 2009, marking the beginning of its "warm" mission. Light from the telescope's remaining infrared channels are colored blue at 3.6 microns and green at 4.5 microns.

About the Object

Name
UGC 10288
Type
Galaxy > Type > Spiral
Galaxy > Component > Disk
Distance
93,000,000 Light Years
Redshift
0.006818

Color Mapping

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

Astrometrics

Position ()
RA =16h 14m 24.8s
Dec = 0° 12' 27.1"
Field of View
18.0 x 18.0 arcminutes
Orientation
North is up