Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor -...

Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the Sculptor - Spiral galaxy NGC 300 in Sculptor - Located about 7 million years ago - light from Earth, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 belongs to the Sculptor's group. It appears to us as a great object in the sky since its apparent diameter is almost that of the full moon. Photo made by Siding Spring's 3.9m telescope. NGC 300 is among the least conspicuous members of a sparse cluster of galaxies that are scattered across the south galactic pole. The three photographic plates from which this picture was made have been specially enhanced to emphasize the delicate structure of the galaxy, revealing that the light of the spiral arms is dominated by young, blue stars. Here and there along the arms, indeed largely responsible for defining them, are denser clumps of stars, some still associated with the gas from which they formed. Many stars are clearly visible as individuals, for the Sculptor Group is relatively nearby, about 8 million light years away