Spiral galaxy seen from above. Bright central core is white due to the light from so many stars, on the outer edge of the galaxy the arms spread out, with light blue and purple dust and gas, peppered with stars.

Hubble Messier 58

Discovered in 1779 by Charles Messier, M58 was one of the first galaxies recognized to have a spiral shape and is one of four barred spiral galaxies in Messier’s catalog. M58 is one of the brightest galaxies in the constellation Virgo. Located roughly 62 million light-years from Earth, M58 is the most distant Messier object.

Credits: NASA, ESA, STScI and D. Maoz (Tel Aviv University/Wise Observatory)
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Image CreditNASA, ESA, STScI and D. Maoz (Tel Aviv University/Wise Observatory)
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