Barred Spiral Galaxy M95
Why do some spiral galaxies have a ring around the center? First and foremost, M95 is one of the closer examples of a big and beautiful barred spiral galaxy . Visible in the above recent image from the CFHT telescope in Hawaii , USA , are sprawling spiral arms delineate by open clusters of bright blue stars, lanes of dark dust , the diffuse glow of billions of faint stars, and a short bar across the galaxy center. What intrigues many astronomers, however, is the circumnuclear ring around the galaxy center visible just outside the central bar. Recent images by the Chandra X-ray Observatory have shown that X-ray light surrounding the ring is likely emission from recent supernova s. Although the long term stability of the ring remains a topic of research , recent observations indicate its present brightness is at least enhanced by transient bursts of star formation. M95 , also known as NGC 3351, spans about 50,000 light-years and can be seen with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Lion ( Leo ).