A black background dotted with stars and distant galaxies. The distribution of stars increases toward image center, forming the loose oval shape of the irregular galaxy Leo A that stretches horizontally across the image. Three foreground stars shine brightly – one located at center-top, and two others in the lower-right quadrant of the image. Each holds four bright barbs (called diffraction spikes) that extend outward from the star.

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The galaxy Leo A resides about 2.6 million light-years away.

Credits: NASA, ESA, A. del Pino Molina (CEFCA), K. Gilbert and R. van der Marel (STScI), A. Cole (University of Tasmania); Image Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
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Image CreditNASA, ESA, A. del Pino Molina (CEFCA), K. Gilbert and R. van der Marel (STScI), A. Cole (University of Tasmania); Image Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
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