Hubble Captures Stunning Spiral Galaxy NGC 3285B

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured an image of the spiral galaxy NGC 3285B, located 137 million light-years away in the Hydra constellation. Hydra is the largest and longest constellation in the sky. NGC 3285B is part of the Hydra I cluster, a massive collection of galaxies anchored by two giant elliptical galaxies at its center.

NGC 3285B, situated on the cluster's outskirts, gained attention due to a Type Ia supernova, SN 2023xqm, observed in 2023. This supernova is visible as a blueish dot on the galaxy's disk. Type Ia supernovae occur when a white dwarf star explodes, briefly shining billions of times brighter than the Sun.

Hubble's observations of NGC 3285B are part of a program targeting 100 Type Ia supernovae. By examining these supernovae in ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared light, researchers aim to refine cosmic distance measurements by understanding the effects of distance and dust on supernovae color.

Text Credit: ESA/Hubble