10 stunning images of galaxies closest to the Milky Way
Earth's galaxy Milky Way has several stunning neighbouring galaxies that are home to millions of stars. The US space agency NASA frequently shares stunning images of these galaxies. Let's take a look at some of them.
Photo Credits: NASA
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured this spectacular image of young stars and gas clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud, Milky Way's neighbouring galaxy.
Photo Credits: NASA
NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) captured this starry image of the Andromeda Galaxy. It is approximately 2.5 million light-years away from Earth.
Photo Credits: NASA
Here's another stunning infrared image of the Andromeda Galaxy captured by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). It shows the sparkly spiral arm of the galaxy, close to Milky Way.
Photo Credits: NASA
This mesmerising composite image is of the Cigar Galaxy or M82, a starburst galaxy about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major.
Photo Credits: NASA
This astounding image is of M101 or the Pinwheel Galaxy, captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. It is situated in the constellation Ursa Major.
Photo Credits: NASA
This dreamy inverted image captured by the Hubble Space Telescope is of M104, also known as the Sombrero Galaxy. The center of M104 is believed to be home to a giant black hole.
Photo Credits: NASA
This astounding image of M51, or the Whirlpool Galaxy shows the spiral arms dotted with gas, dust and stars. This galaxy was discovered by Charles Messier.
Photo Credits: NASA
Here's another gorgeous image of the Whirlpool Galaxy visible in infrared, X-ray light. This image was captured by Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes and the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Photo Credits: NASA
This splendid inverted image of NGC 1300 was captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. It shows a barred galaxy spiralling into a bright nucleus.
Photo Credits: NASA
This striking image is of a Tadpole Galaxy, also known as galaxy UGC 10214, taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. It is situated about 420 million light-years away in the constellation Draco.