Explanation:
Some spiral galaxies are seen almost sideways.
NGC 3190, one such galaxy, is the largest member of the
Hickson 44 Group,
one of the nearer groups of galaxies to our own
Local Group of galaxies.
Pictured above, finely textured
dust lanes surround the
brightly glowing center of this picturesque
spiral.
Gravitational tidal interactions with other members of its group have likely
caused the spiral arms of
NGC 3190
to appear asymmetric around the center, while the
galactic disk also appears
warped.
NGC 3190 spans about 75,000
light years across and is visible with a small telescope toward the
constellation of the Lion (Leo).
