Title: Hubble Space Telescope Captures Fascinating Image of Spiral Galaxies
By ESA/Hubble December 27, 2023
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning image featuring the spiral galaxies NGC 1356, LEDA 467699, LEDA 95415, and IC 1947. The image, released as “Hubble Picture of the Week,” showcases the challenges of determining the actual proximity of galaxies from Earth’s perspective.
Upon first glance, the large prominent spiral galaxy NGC 1356 appears to be closely accompanied by LEDA 467699 and LEDA 95415. However, further analysis reveals that NGC 1356 is approximately 550 million light-years from Earth, while LEDA 95415 is roughly 840 million light-years away, indicating a significant separation of nearly 300 million light-years.
In contrast, the apparent relative distance between NGC 1356 and IC 1947 in the image is deceiving, as IC 1947 is only about 500 million light-years from Earth. The actual proximity in three-dimensional space is much closer than initially perceived from the two-dimensional image.
This captivating image serves as a reminder of the complexities of discerning the true spatial relationships between galaxies and highlights the remarkable advancements in our understanding of the universe. The Hubble Space Telescope continues to provide invaluable insights into the mysteries of the cosmos.