                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2022 March 24

                      Arp 78: Peculiar Galaxy in Aries
    Image Credit & License: International Gemini Observatory / NOIRLab /
                                 NSF / AURA
     Processing: T.A. Rector (Univ. Alaska Anchorage), J. Miller (Gemini
               Observatory/NOIRLab), M. Zamani & D. de Martin

   Explanation: Peculiar spiral galaxy Arp 78 is found within the
   boundaries of the head strong constellation Aries. Some 100 million
   light-years beyond the stars and nebulae of our Milky Way galaxy, the
   island universe is over 100,000 light-years across. Also known as NGC
   772, it sports a prominent, outer spiral arm in this detailed cosmic
   portrait from the large Gemini North telescope near the summit of
   Maunakea, Hawaii, planet Earth. Tracking along sweeping dust lanes and
   lined with young blue star clusters, Arp 78's spiral arm is likely
   pumped-up by galactic-scale gravitational tidal interactions The close
   companion galaxy responsible is NGC 770, located off the upper right of
   this frame. But more distant background galaxies are clearly visible in
   the cosmic field of view.

                 Tomorrow's picture: serpentine protectress
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                             & Michigan Tech. U.

