This new Hubble image shows the scatterings of bright stars and thick dust that make up spiral galaxy Messier 83, otherwise known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy. One of the largest and closest barred spirals to us, this galaxy is dramatic and mysterious; it has hosted a large number of supernova explosions, and appears to have a double nucleus lurking at its core.

Image: “Messier 83” by Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) Acknowledgement: William Blair (Johns Hopkins University), licensed Public domain, from Wikimedia Commons.

Credit and licence

Creator
Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) Acknowledgement: William Blair (Johns Hopkins University)
Licence
Public domain
Terms
Public domain: no known copyright restrictions. Credit given as a courtesy.
Source
Wikimedia Commons
Credit line
“Messier 83” by Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) Acknowledgement: William Blair (Johns Hopkins University) (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons