Lonely Spiral Galaxy NGC 6503

Most galaxies are found in groups or clusters. Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, for example, is part of group of around 50 nearby galaxies dubbed the Local Group. But this galaxy, cataloged as NGC 6503, is located at the edge of a strangely empty patch of space called the Local Void. The Local Void is a stretch of space that is at least 150 million light-years across. It seems completely empty of stars or galaxies. The galaxy's odd location on the edge of this celestial blank spot led stargazer Stephen James O'Meara to dub NGC 6503 the "Lost-In-Space galaxy." This image shows NGC 6503 in striking detail and with a rich set of colors. Bright red patches of gas can be seen scattered through its swirling spiral arms, mixed with bright blue regions that contain newly forming stars. Dark brown dust lanes snake across the galaxy's bright arms and center, giving it a mottled appearance.