NGC 2442: Volans星系
(原标题: NGC 2442: Galaxy in Volans)
2026-01-29
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扭曲的星系NGC 2442位于南部的飞鱼星座（双鱼座）飞鱼座。这个星系位于大约5000万光年远的地方，它的两条螺旋臂从一个明显的中心条延伸出来，在这张深而多彩的图像中，它呈现出一个钩状的外观，前景的恒星散布在望远镜的视野中。该图像还揭示了遥远星系模糊的尘埃带，年轻的蓝色星团和红色的恒星形成区域，周围是由较老的恒星群发出的黄光核心。但恒星形成区域似乎更集中在拉长的（右上）旋臂上。扭曲的结构很可能是与位于画面左上方的一个较小星系近距离接触的结果。这张望远镜的视野跨度超过20万光年，估计距离NGC 2442。
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Distorted galaxy NGC 2442 can be found in the southern constellation of the flying fish, (Piscis) Volans. Located about 50 million light-years away, the galaxy's two spiral arms extending from a pronounced central bar give it a hook-shaped appearance in this deep and colorful image, with foreground stars scattered across the telescopic field of view. The image also reveals the distant galaxy's obscuring dust lanes, young blue star clusters and reddish star forming regions surrounding a core of yellowish light from an older population of stars. But the star forming regions seem more concentrated along the drawn-out (upper right) spiral arm. The distorted structure is likely the result of an ancient close encounter with a smaller galaxy that lies off top left of the frame. This telescopic field of view spans over 200,000 light-years at the estimated distance of NGC 2442.
© Mike Selby