Hubble Studies Small but Mighty Galaxy

This portrait of the NASA / ESA Hubble space telescope puts the Galaxy NGC 4449 nearby in the spotlight. The galaxy is located only 12.5 million light years in the Constellation Venatici canes (hunting dogs). It is a member of the M94 Galaxy group, which is near the local group of galaxies whose Milky Way is part.

NGC 4449 is a dwarf galaxy, which means that it is much smaller and contains less stars than the Milky Way. But don’t let your small size you go wrong – NGC 4449 is punching when it comes to making stars! This galaxy is currently forming new stars at a much faster pace than expected for its size, making it a Starburst galaxy. Most Starburst galaxies produce stars mainly in their centers, but NGC 4449 is lit with young shiny stars throughout. Researchers believe that this global explosion in stars training was born due to the interactions of NGC 4449 with its galactic neighbors. Because NGC 4449 is so close, it offers an excellent opportunity for Hubble to study how interactions between galaxies can influence the formation of new stars.

Hubble published an image of NGC 4449 in 2007. This new version includes several additional light wavelengths that Hubble has collected for several observation programs. These programs include an incredible range of sciences, a deep dive in the history of the formation of the stars of NGC 4449 with the most brilliant, hottest and massive stars in more than two dozen galaxies nearby.

The NASA / ESA / CSA James Webb space telescope also observed NGC 4449, revealing in complex detail the galaxy dusty gas tears, brilliant in intense star light radiated by young flourishing stars.

Text credit: ESA / Hubble

Contact with the media::

Claire Andreol (Claire.andreoli@nasa.gov))
Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center,, Greenery belt, MD