ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Astro Bob blog: Hubble sees resonant ring of glittery clusters around supermassive black hole

That's no ordinary bathtub ring. Those tiny blue sparkles are young star clusters and bursts of new star formation popping off like slow-mo firecrackers inside the galaxy NGC 3081.

904127+NGC 3081.jpg
Hubble Space Telescope image of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 3081, set against an assortment of more remote galaxies in the distance. The outer ring is studded with bright new star clusters. At its core, the galaxy harbors a supermassive black hole, causing it to glow brightly. Credit: NASA/ESA

That's no ordinary bathtub ring. Those tiny blue sparkles are young star clusters and bursts of new star formation popping off like slow-mo firecrackers inside the galaxy NGC 3081.

What To Read Next
Get Local

ADVERTISEMENT