Tens of thousands of tiny dots of varying colors, each one its own star in C51, look like dust against the black backdrop of space. A few larger objects like reddish disks of spiral galaxies can be seen.

C51 (IC 1613)

Caldwell 51, also known as IC 1613, is located just 2.3 million light-years from Earth. Despite its relative proximity, Caldwell 51 is very difficult to spot and is one of the most elusive Caldwell objects. It appears as an extremely faint and diffuse smudge in the sky, even when viewed through moderately sized telescopes.

Credits: NASA, ESA, and J. Holtzman (New Mexico State University); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
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Image CreditNASA, ESA, and J. Holtzman (New Mexico State University); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
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