Hubble spies cosmic dust bunnies — High Resolution Galaxy Images

Zoomable Large JPEG 4.0 MB 2048x1536 1920x1200 1600x1200

About the Object

Name: Fornax A, NGC 1316
Type: Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Elliptical
Distance: 60 million light years
Constellation: Fornax
Category: Galaxies

Like dust bunnies that lurk in corners and under beds, surprisingly complex loops and blobs of cosmic dust lie hidden in the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 1316. This image made from data obtained with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveals the dust lanes and star clusters of this giant galaxy that give evidence that it was formed from a past merger of two gas-rich galaxies.

Credit:

NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)