NGC 2337

This galaxy, known as NGC 2337, is an irregular galaxy, meaning that it — along with a quarter of all galaxies in the universe — lacks a distinct, regular appearance. Irregular galaxies provide astronomers with a valuable opportunity to learn more about galactic evolution and interaction, and as such, gravitational interactions between galaxies can kick-start star formation activity within the affected galaxies, which may explain the pockets of blue light scattered throughout NGC 2337. These patches and knots of blue signal the presence of young, newly formed, hot stars.