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Galaxy ESO 137-001: Visible (Hubble)

Left of center is a galaxy that looks like a white-and-blue swirl with several blue filaments that trail downward. Its transparent white spiral arms rotate in a clockwise motion.

The spiral galaxy ESO 137-001, seen here in an image from Hubble, is an example of a “jellyfish” galaxy, because blue tendrils of star formation stream away from it like jellyfish tentacles.

About the Object

  • R.A. Position
    R.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.
    16 13 24.20
  • Dec. Position
    Dec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.
    -60° 45' 29.03"
  • Constellation
    ConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.
    Triangulum Australe
  • Distance
    DistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.
    220 million light-years
  • Object Name
    Object NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.
    ESO 137-001
  • Object Description
    Object DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.
    Spiral galaxy
  • Release Date
    April 17, 2019
  • Science Release
    A “Jellyfish” Galaxy Swims Into View of NASA’s Upcoming Webb Telescope
    Read the release
  • Credit
    Image: NASA, ESA

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Related Images & Videos

Spiral galaxy with a blue tail

Galaxy ESO 137-001: Visible and X-ray (Hubble, Chandra)

This composite view of ESO 137-001 includes visible light from Hubble and X-ray light from the Chandra X-ray Observatory (in blue). It reveals a tail of hot gas that has been stripped from the galaxy.

Sketch of a telescope with title text, "What Is a Galaxy?"

What Is a Galaxy?

Galaxies are concentrations of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are fated to collide, like the Milky Way and Andromeda.

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Details

Last Updated
Aug 28, 2025
Contact
Media

Laura Betz
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
laura.e.betz@nasa.gov

Image Credit

NASA, ESA

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