The galaxy resembles a giant maelstrom of glowing gas, rippled with dark dust that swirls inwards towards the nucleus.

A galactic maelstrom

Messier 96 is a very asymmetric galaxy; its dust and gas are unevenly spread throughout its weak spiral arms.

Credits: ESA/Hubble & NASA and the LEGUS Team, Acknowledgement: R. Gendler
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Image CreditESA/Hubble & NASA and the LEGUS Team, Acknowledgement: R. Gendler
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