Hubble Spots a Storm of New Stars
This image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows a stormy and very active spiral galaxy named NGC 1792. Located more than 50 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Columba (the Dove), the bright glow from the galaxy’s center is offset by the flocculating and sparkling spiral arms swirling around it.
NGC 1792 is just as fascinating to astronomers as its chaotic appearance might suggest. Classified as an explosion galaxy, it is a star-forming powerhouse, with spiral arms rich in star-forming regions. In fact, it’s surprisingly bright for its mass. The galaxy is close to a larger neighbor, NGC 1808, and astronomers believe the strong gravitational interaction between the two boosted that galaxy’s gas reserves. The result is a torrent of star formation, concentrated on the side nearest its neighbor, where gravity has a stronger effect. NGC 1792 is an ideal target for astronomers seeking to understand the complex interactions between gases, star clusters and supernovae in galaxies.
Hubble has already studied this galaxy. This new image includes additional data collected throughout 2025, providing a deeper look into the tumultuous activity taking place in the galaxy. Red lights blooming in the arms of the galaxy mark the emission of hydrogen alpha (H-alpha) from dense clouds of hydrogen molecules. Newly formed stars within these clouds shine powerfully thanks to ultraviolet radiation. This intense radiation ionizes hydrogen gas, removing electrons, causing the gas to emit H-alpha light. H-alpha is a very distinctive red wavelength and a telltale sign of the presence of new stars.
Media contact:
Claire Andreoli (claire.andreoli@nasa.gov)
from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
