A recent image captured by the Hubble Space Telescope showcases the fascinating dwarf galaxy IC 3430, situated 45 million light-years away. This galaxy stands out as a combination of a dwarf and elliptical galaxy due to its small size and distinctive form.
Elliptical galaxies like IC 3430 are known for their smooth and featureless appearance, unlike spiral galaxies such as our Milky Way. The image highlights the oval shape of IC 3430, with a core of hot blue stars at its center, a rare sight in elliptical galaxies dominated by older stars.
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Another captivating Hubble image features the dwarf galaxy NGC 5238, located 14.5 million light-years away. Unlike IC 3430, NGC 5238 displays a more complex structure with glowing spots of brighter areas, indicating the presence of globular clusters.
The unique structure of NGC 5238 suggests a historical merger event where two galaxies combined, leading to the formation of distinct star clusters. Astronomers study these smaller galaxies to unravel the mysteries of galaxy formation and evolution, shedding light on the hierarchical process that shapes the universe’s largest structures.
“Galaxies formed ‘bottom-up’ in a hierarchical fashion,” explain Hubble scientists, emphasizing the gradual assembly of star clusters and galaxies into larger structures over time. This evolutionary process offers valuable insights into the universe’s intricate formation and development.
