Stellar Glitter in a Field of Black
Unlike a spiral or elliptical galaxy, the galaxy KK 246 looks like glitter spilled across a black velvet sheet. KK 246, also known as ESO 461-036, is a dwarf irregular galaxy residing within the Local Void, a vast region of empty space. This lonely galaxy is the only one known for certain to reside in this enormous volume, along with 15 others that have been tentatively identified.
Although the picture appears to be full of galaxies, they are actually beyond this void, and instead form part of other galaxy groups or clusters. Cosmic voids, such as this one, are the spaces within the web-like structure of the Universe wherein very few or no galaxies exist.
Adjacent to the Local Group, this region of empty space is at least 150 million light-years across. For perspective, our own Milky Way galaxy is estimated to be 150 000 light-years across, making this void immense in its nothingness.
Credit:ESA/Hubble & NASA, E. Shaya, L. Rizzi, B. Tully, et al.
About the Image
Id: | potw2020a |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 18 May 2020, 06:00 |
Size: | 2554 x 2160 px |
About the Object
Name: | ESO461-36 |
Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Irregular Local Universe : Galaxy : Size : Dwarf |
Constellation: | Sagittarius |
Category: | Galaxies |
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 20 3 57.28 |
Position (Dec): | -31° 40' 53.54" |
Field of view: | 2.13 x 1.80 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 114.3° right of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Optical V | 606 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical I | 814 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Infrared YJ | 1.1 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |
Infrared H | 1.6 μm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFC3 |