Hubble Caldwell 32

This stream of stars embedded in cosmic clouds is part of Caldwell 32, also cataloged as NGC 4631 and commonly called the Whale galaxy. Our edge-on view of this galaxy masks the spiral arms that extend outward into space, each overflowing with sparkling stars. The “belly” of the whale (on the left side of the image) is the galactic center, which is lit up by stars bursting into life along with gas that has been heated from supernova explosions. This bright light silhouettes bands of dense, darker material that lie between us and the Whale galaxy’s bright core.