Publish: 11:02, 19 Jun, 2025

Nearby Sculptor galaxy revealed in ultra-detailed image

Online Desk
Nearby Sculptor galaxy revealed in ultra-detailed image
Photo - Collected

Astronomers have released an ultra-detailed image of the Sculptor galaxy (NGC 253), offering unprecedented insight into one of the Milky Way's closest galactic neighbors.

Captured over 50 hours using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile, the image reveals the barred spiral galaxy in roughly 4,000 distinct colors—each linked to a specific optical wavelength.

This level of detail was achieved with the MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) instrument, enabling scientists to study everything from star formation to interstellar gas movement. Unlike conventional images that show only a few colors, this one allows researchers to analyze intricate components across the galaxy.

"NGC 253 is close enough that we can observe it in remarkable detail with MUSE, yet far enough that we can still see the entire galaxy in a single field of view," said astronomer Enrico Congiu, lead author of a study in Astronomy & Astrophysics. “That’s why NGC 253 is such a perfect target: it acts as a bridge between the ultra-detailed studies of the Milky Way and the large-scale studies of more distant galaxies.”

Located about 11 million light-years away, Sculptor is similar in size and mass to the Milky Way but produces new stars at two to three times the rate, especially near its core in a "starburst" region.

"Since the light from stars is typically bluer if the stars are young or redder if the stars are old, having thousands of colors lets us learn a lot about what stars and populations of stars exist in the galaxy," said Kathryn Kreckel of Heidelberg University. "Similarly for the gas... it tells us about the different elements that exist in the gas, and what is causing it to glow."

"I personally find these images amazing," Congiu added. "Every time I look at them, I notice something new."

Source: Reuters

Bd-pratidin English/FNC

More News
Pathao Pay launched nationwide with pay card, cashback offer
Pathao Pay launched nationwide with pay card, cashback offer
ChatGPT tests 'study together' feature to promote collaborative learning
ChatGPT tests 'study together' feature to promote collaborative learning
Alien planet lashed by huge flares from its 'angry beast' star
Alien planet lashed by huge flares from its 'angry beast' star
Apple's top AI executive Ruoming Pang leaves for Meta
Apple's top AI executive Ruoming Pang leaves for Meta
German space capsule lost carrying ashes of 166 people
German space capsule lost carrying ashes of 166 people
Spotify unveils 'Jam,' a social in-car feature for Android Auto
Spotify unveils 'Jam,' a social in-car feature for Android Auto
CRISPR gene editing reshaping medicine, offering hope for genetic diseases
CRISPR gene editing reshaping medicine, offering hope for genetic diseases
TikTok developing new version ahead of expected US sale: Report
TikTok developing new version ahead of expected US sale: Report
From Karachi to Gaza: Pakistani startup ships prosthetics to child war survivors
From Karachi to Gaza: Pakistani startup ships prosthetics to child war survivors
OpenAI pauses operations for a week amid Meta’s talent battle
OpenAI pauses operations for a week amid Meta’s talent battle
Indian scam call centers targeting UAE residents go silent after KT exposé
Indian scam call centers targeting UAE residents go silent after KT exposé
NASA releases first close-up image of peanut-shaped asteroid
NASA releases first close-up image of peanut-shaped asteroid
Latest News
Bangladesh-US second round tariff talks to start today
Bangladesh-US second round tariff talks to start today
8 minutes ago | Economy
USA on high alert after Hoaxer uses AI to impersonate Marco Rubio
USA on high alert after Hoaxer uses AI to impersonate Marco Rubio
12 minutes ago | International
Pathao Pay launched nationwide with pay card, cashback offer
Pathao Pay launched nationwide with pay card, cashback offer
15 minutes ago | Tech
Bangladesh Bank to launch Tk25cr fund for families of July Martyrs, injured
Bangladesh Bank to launch Tk25cr fund for families of July Martyrs, injured
31 minutes ago | National
Germany backs Turkiye’s terror-free initiative
Germany backs Turkiye’s terror-free initiative
35 minutes ago | International
Swift negotiations urged as US tariff hike threatens export edge
Swift negotiations urged as US tariff hike threatens export edge
38 minutes ago | Economy
Flood warning issued in Feni as Muhuri rises above danger level
Flood warning issued in Feni as Muhuri rises above danger level
44 minutes ago | National
UAE denies rumors of lifetime Golden Visa for select nationalities
UAE denies rumors of lifetime Golden Visa for select nationalities
52 minutes ago | International
Türkiye defence secretary meets Army chief
Türkiye defence secretary meets Army chief
58 minutes ago | National
Threatening the media is antithetical to democracy
Threatening the media is antithetical to democracy
1 hour ago | Special
Over 200 protesters apologize to NBR chairman
Over 200 protesters apologize to NBR chairman
1 hour ago | National
Bangladesh lose ODI series against Sri Lanka
Bangladesh lose ODI series against Sri Lanka
10 hours ago | Sports
ICC issues arrest warrants for Taliban leaders over persecution of women and girls
ICC issues arrest warrants for Taliban leaders over persecution of women and girls
11 hours ago | National
Dozens missing after floods on Nepal-China border
Dozens missing after floods on Nepal-China border
11 hours ago | International
I must have freedom to speak, and so must you: Fakhrul
I must have freedom to speak, and so must you: Fakhrul
12 hours ago | National
Court orders to seize Shibli Rubayat's 10-storey commercial building
Court orders to seize Shibli Rubayat's 10-storey commercial building
12 hours ago | National
Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza
Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza
13 hours ago | International
Purchase body approves import of LNG cargo, urea fertiliser
Purchase body approves import of LNG cargo, urea fertiliser
13 hours ago | Economy
Travel ban imposed on Salman F Rahman, 12 others
Travel ban imposed on Salman F Rahman, 12 others
13 hours ago | National
‘Those who want PR want to bring back Awami League’
‘Those who want PR want to bring back Awami League’
14 hours ago | National
Netanyahu, Trump discuss forced transfer of Palestinians out of Gaza
Netanyahu, Trump discuss forced transfer of Palestinians out of Gaza
14 hours ago | International
Single-use plastic to be banned at Secretariat from Oct 2: Cabinet Secretary
Single-use plastic to be banned at Secretariat from Oct 2: Cabinet Secretary
14 hours ago | National
Engima— The only Bangladeshi Marvel superhero
Engima— The only Bangladeshi Marvel superhero
14 hours ago | Showbiz
Govt  approves drone shows, ‘July Revival Programmes’
Govt  approves drone shows, ‘July Revival Programmes’
14 hours ago | National
Results of SSC, equivalent exams to be published Thursday
Results of SSC, equivalent exams to be published Thursday
15 hours ago | National
UAE Golden Visa: New service to make applying easier for Bangladeshi residents
UAE Golden Visa: New service to make applying easier for Bangladeshi residents
15 hours ago | National
Three more die of dengue, death toll rises to 51
Three more die of dengue, death toll rises to 51
15 hours ago | National
DMP imposes ban on rallies near areas of Secretariat, Jamuna
DMP imposes ban on rallies near areas of Secretariat, Jamuna
15 hours ago | City
Israel must not be allowed to attack Iran again: Pezeshkian
Israel must not be allowed to attack Iran again: Pezeshkian
15 hours ago | International
Finance Adviser ‘more or less satisfied’ over revenue collection
Finance Adviser ‘more or less satisfied’ over revenue collection
16 hours ago | Economy
Most Read
32 Bangladeshis return from Iran in 2nd phase
32 Bangladeshis return from Iran in 2nd phase
20 hours ago | National
Engima— The only Bangladeshi Marvel superhero
Engima— The only Bangladeshi Marvel superhero
14 hours ago | Showbiz
ChatGPT tests 'study together' feature to promote collaborative learning
ChatGPT tests 'study together' feature to promote collaborative learning
20 hours ago | Tech
2 Zika cases reported in Chattogram
2 Zika cases reported in Chattogram
19 hours ago | City
Bangladesh in search of Free Trade Agreements
Bangladesh in search of Free Trade Agreements
22 hours ago | Special
Sagar-Runi murder case report delayed for 119th time
Sagar-Runi murder case report delayed for 119th time
19 hours ago | National
Complications mount over elections
Complications mount over elections
22 hours ago | Special
UAE launches nomination-based lifetime golden visa for Indians, Bangladeshis
UAE launches nomination-based lifetime golden visa for Indians, Bangladeshis
23 hours ago | International
Bangladesh eyes positive outcome from tariff talks with USTR: Finance adviser
Bangladesh eyes positive outcome from tariff talks with USTR: Finance adviser
19 hours ago | National
Panchayat Season 5 announced following record-breaking success of Season 4
Panchayat Season 5 announced following record-breaking success of Season 4
21 hours ago | Showbiz
Wife Fauzia beats Tajul in corruption
Wife Fauzia beats Tajul in corruption
22 hours ago | National
Govt partners with Korea for sound waste management
Govt partners with Korea for sound waste management
19 hours ago | National
No role for foreign observers who certified past elections as fair: CEC
No role for foreign observers who certified past elections as fair: CEC
18 hours ago | National
Chinese envoy meets BNP secretary general
Chinese envoy meets BNP secretary general
19 hours ago | National
Business and trade suffer amid central bank's policy vacuum
Business and trade suffer amid central bank's policy vacuum
20 hours ago | Economy
Hasnat Abdullah’s threats spark outcry over press freedom
Hasnat Abdullah’s threats spark outcry over press freedom
21 hours ago | National
A Coordinated Army Crackdown Is Only Cure for Mob Menace!
A Coordinated Army Crackdown Is Only Cure for Mob Menace!
22 hours ago | Special
Moderately to heavy rain falls forecast in four division
Moderately to heavy rain falls forecast in four division
20 hours ago | National
Apple's top AI executive Ruoming Pang leaves for Meta
Apple's top AI executive Ruoming Pang leaves for Meta
23 hours ago | Tech
First malaria treatment for babies approved for use
First malaria treatment for babies approved for use
19 hours ago | International
Night-time screen use linked to increased heart risk
Night-time screen use linked to increased heart risk
18 hours ago | Lifestyle
UAE Golden Visa: New service to make applying easier for Bangladeshi residents
UAE Golden Visa: New service to make applying easier for Bangladeshi residents
15 hours ago | National
Dhaka warns Malaysia expatriates over fake passport services
Dhaka warns Malaysia expatriates over fake passport services
23 hours ago | National
Monsoon brings continues ‘moderate’ air quality in Dhaka
Monsoon brings continues ‘moderate’ air quality in Dhaka
23 hours ago | City
Trump writes letter to CA about imposing 35% tariff
Trump writes letter to CA about imposing 35% tariff
21 hours ago | National
Results of SSC, equivalent exams to be published Thursday
Results of SSC, equivalent exams to be published Thursday
15 hours ago | National
Mob Culture increasing due to administrative stagnation: Rizvi
Mob Culture increasing due to administrative stagnation: Rizvi
17 hours ago | National
Bangladeshi native vegetables commercially thrive in British soil
Bangladeshi native vegetables commercially thrive in British soil
21 hours ago | Special
Full verdict on abolition of caretaker government published
Full verdict on abolition of caretaker government published
16 hours ago | National
Bangladesh to face Sri Lanka in series-deciding 3rd ODI today
Bangladesh to face Sri Lanka in series-deciding 3rd ODI today
20 hours ago | Sports