Discover the Cosmic Splendor of NGC 2280: A Galactic Masterpiece

Unveiling the vast expanse of the majestic galaxy NGC 2280, this captivating image reveals its colossal spiral arms stretching into the cosmic void. Brimming with stars, these celestial tendrils dissolve into ethereal blue clouds of radiant, glowing gas, extending beyond the luminous core of the galaxy. Located within the Canis Major constellation (the Greater Dog), NGC 2280 is believed to share a striking resemblance to our very own Milky Way galaxy.

Situated approximately 75 million light-years away, this remarkable snapshot of NGC 2280 offers a glimpse into the distant past when dinosaurs still roamed our planet. The resplendent stars, shimmering like precious gems in the image, as well as the plethora of other stars in varying hues, are all situated closer to us than NGC 2280, thus appearing in the foreground of our cosmic vista.

This mesmerizing image was obtained using the ESO Faint Object Spectrograph and Camera (EFOSC2) through a combination of three filters (B, V, R). EFOSC2 was mounted on the 3.6-meter telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile, boasting a field of view spanning 4.1 x 4.1 arcminutes.

Credits: ESO

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