An exquisite new depiction of the intermediate spiral galaxy designated NGC 5042 has been rendered by astronomers utilizing the capabilities of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
This Hubble image shows NGC 5042, an intermediate spiral galaxy some 48 million light-years away in the constellation of Hydra. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / D. Thilker.
NGC 5042, also recognized by the identifiers ESO 508-31, LEDA 46126, or IRAS 13127-2343, spans an impressive diameter of 80,000 light-years. This celestial object resides approximately 48 million light-years distant from our planet, nestled within the cosmic expanse of the Hydra constellation.
The initial detection of NGC 5042 can be credited to the keen observations of British astronomer John Herschel, who first documented its presence on March 25, 1836.
“NGC 5042 fittingly occupies the entirety of this Hubble capture, with a solitary star native to the Milky Way, discernible by its cruciform diffraction spikes, making an attempt to harmonize with the luminous stellar population adorning the galaxy’s periphery,” stated the Hubble astronomical contingent.
At the core of NGC 5042 is a dense concentration of venerable stars, while its swirling nebulae are adorned with clusters of nascent, blue-hued stellar bodies.
“The elongated, yellowish-orange entities dispersed throughout the image represent background galaxies situated far beyond the confines of NGC 5042,” the astronomers elaborated.
“Perhaps the most captivating attribute of NGC 5042 is its profusion of resplendent pink gaseous nebulae, meticulously studded across its spiral arms.”
“These strikingly vivid nebulae are scientifically classified as H II regions. Their characteristic coloration is derived from hydrogen atoms that have undergone ionization due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation.”
“Upon closer examination of this image, one will observe that numerous of these reddish nebulae are co-located with aggregations of blue stars, frequently forming a distinct shell-like structure enveloping the stars.”
“H II regions originate within vast interstellar clouds composed of hydrogen gas. Only the hottest and most massive stars possess the capacity to emit sufficient high-energy photons to precipitate the formation of an H II region.”
“Given that the stellar types capable of engendering H II regions exist for mere millions of years—a vanishingly brief interval in the grand timeline of galactic evolution—this image effectively captures a transient moment in the galaxy’s ongoing narrative.”
The recently acquired imagery of NGC 5042 has been meticulously compiled from observational data acquired by Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), encompassing observations within the ultraviolet, near-infrared, and optical portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
A total of six distinct filters were employed to meticulously sample various wavelengths. The resultant coloration emerges from the strategic assignment of different hues to each monochromatic image that corresponds to an individual filter.
“To generate this polychromatic portrait, Hubble meticulously scrutinized NGC 5042 utilizing six distinct wavelength bands, spanning the ultraviolet through to the infrared spectrum,” the research team conveyed.
