The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has produced this beautiful image of the remarkable low surface brightness galaxy NGC 7292.
NGC 7292 is located approximately 44 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Pegasus.
Also known as LEDA 68941, UGC 12048 or IRAS 22261+3002, the galaxy was discovered on September 6, 1872 by the French astronomer Édouard Stephan.
“This slightly dishevelled galaxy is irregular, meaning that it lacks the distinct spiral arms of galaxies like the Whirlpool Galaxy or the smooth elliptical shape of galaxies like Messier 59,” Hubble astronomers said.
“Unusually, its core is stretched out into a distinct bar, a feature seen in many spiral galaxies.”
“Alongside its hazy shape, NGC 7292 is remarkably faint,” they added.
“As a result, astronomers classify NGC 7292 as a low surface brightness galaxy, barely distinguishable against the backdrop of the night sky.”
“Such galaxies are typically dominated by gas and dark matter rather than stars.”
In 1964, a Type II supernova explosion — named SN 1964H — was spotted in NGC 7292.
Studying the stellar neighborhood of SN 1964H helps astronomers estimate the initial mass of the star that went supernova, and could uncover surviving stellar companions that once shared a system with the star that would become SN 1964H.
“We directed Hubble to inspect NGC 7292 during an observational campaign studying the aftermath of Type II supernovae,” the astronomers explained.
“These colossal explosions happen when a massive star collapses and then violently rebounds in a catastrophic explosion that tears the star apart.”
“We hope to learn more about the diversity of Type II supernovae they have observed by scrutinizing the aftermath and remaining nearby stars of a large sample of historical Type II supernovae.”
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