A distant elliptical galaxy is a soft white glow around a bright white core. The glow slowly fades out into the darkness of space, where a scattering of other smaller and more distant galaxies are visible. A swirl of dark dust lanes is visible agains the ellipitcal's glow.

Through the elliptical haze

The luminous core of ngc 2768 slowly fades outwards to a dull white haze.

Credits: ESA/Hubble, NASA and S. Smartt (Queen's University Belfast)