NGC 253 Close-Up
This dusty island universe is one of the brightest spiral galaxies in the sky. Seen nearly edge-on, NGC 253 lies a mere 13 million light-years away and is the largest member of the Sculptor Group of galaxies, neighbor to our own local galaxy group . The remarkably sharp, close-up view is based on data from the Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys ( ACS ). Beginning on the left near the galaxy's core, the panorama follows filaments of dust, interstellar gas, and even individual stars toward the galaxy's edge at the far right, a magnificent vista spanning nearly 50,000 light-years. The image data are part of ANGST , the ACS Nearby Galaxy Survey Treasury , a program to explore our cosmic backyard .