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The starburst galaxy NGC 1313 is a stellar incubator delivering stars on a scale rarely seen in a single galaxy of its size. Now, a striking new Gemini Observatory image reveals the multitudes of glowing gas clouds in this galaxy’s arms. These colorful clouds are the tell-tale sign of star-formation in this prolific star factory.
Because the clouds of gas in stellar nurseries emit light from ionized gas, they shine brightly in very specific colors (or wavelengths) so narrow-band filters were used on the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph on the Gemini South Telescope in Chile to capture the colorful galactic lightscape. The unprecedented detail and clarity of the image reveals myriad bubbles, shock fronts, star clusters, and sites where massive stars are being born. Located some 15 million light-years away, NGC 1313 is a late-type barred spiral galaxy. It’s a relatively close galactic neighbor to the Milky Way and has a mysterious past. Generally, starburst galaxies show some signs of interaction with another galaxy and a close galactic encounter is usually responsible for sparking increased levels of star-birth activity. However, NGC 1313 is a neighborless “drifter,” far away from any other packs of galaxies. The cause of its deformed shape and high rate of star formation is not obvious.Image credit: Gemini Observatory/AURA
