NGC 2541

At a distance of 24 million light years away, NGC 2541 is close enough to see the many HII regions that glow in the dim disk of this loose spiral. This particular galaxy is not alone in the sky towards the constellation of Lynx. Like our own Local Group of galaxies, NGC 2541 is part of a group which includes NGC 2500, NGC 2537, and NGC 2552. The similarity in distances between these galaxies and those of the Local Group says much about the non-uniqueness of our corner of the Universe.

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