M96

M96 is the brightest member of the "Leo I" group of galaxies. This group (specifically M96) is 38 million light years away. If the outermost spiral arms are taken into account, the galaxy spans 100,000 light years in diameter. This image also contains many smaller galaxies (some of which may be near to M96). Most intriguing is the edge-on galaxy near the top of the image. Given its greatly reddened appearence, it would be a good guess that this galaxy is behind M96 and we are peering through the intervening clouds of gas and dust (in M96) to see it. Indeed, if we assumed this edge-on galaxy is roughly the same size as M96, it would be 3-4 times more distant. Note the many delicate dust lanes near the nucleus that seem to swirl ever-inward towards the brilliant stellar core. M96 has recently had supernovae explode in it. HST has also directly observed Cepheid variables in this galaxy. Together these two observations are important because they can be used to calibrate distance indicators on galactic scales (the distance as measured by supernovae in M96 agrees with the distance as measured by Cepheid variables). Also check out its neighbor M95.

This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.