Cepheid Variable Star in Galaxy M100

This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image of a region of the galaxy M100 shows a class of pulsating star called a Cepheid Variable. Though rare, these stars are reliable distance indicators to galaxies. Based on the Hubble observation, the distance to M100 has been measured accurately as 56 million light-years (+/- 6 million light-years), making it the farthest object where intergalactic distances have been determined precisely.

Credit:

Dr. Wendy L. Freedman, Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, and NASA/ESA

About the Image

NASA press release
Id:opo9449d
Type:Observation
Release date:26 October 1994, 19:00
Size:1524 x 1087 px

About the Object

Name:Messier 100
Type:Local Universe : Star : Type : Variable
Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral
Distance:50 million light years
Constellation:Coma Berenices
Category:Galaxies
Stars

Image Formats

r.titleLarge JPEG
495.2 KB
r.titleScreensize JPEG
227.4 KB

Wallpapers

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r.title1280x1024
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r.title1600x1200
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Coordinates

Position (RA):12 23 0.55
Position (Dec):15° 49' 22.16"
Field of view:2.52 x 1.80 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 164.7° right of vertical


Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2

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