Hubble’s Sharpest View: A Lenticular Galaxy’s Dust and Dark Matter Revealed

NGC 4753, captured by the Hubble Telescope, reveals intricate dust structures and a dark matter halo. This galaxy serves as a crucial site for studying galactic formation and measuring cosmic distances.

Featured in a new image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is NGC 4753, a lenticular galaxy viewed nearly edge-on. These galaxies are characterized by their elliptical shape and faintly defined spiral arms.

Hubble’s Sharpest Image
This image is the object’s sharpest view to date, showcasing Hubble’s incredible resolving power and ability to reveal complex dust structures. NGC 4753 resides around 60 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Virgo and was first discovered by the astronomer William Herschel in 1784. It is a member of the NGC 4753 Group of galaxies within the Virgo II Cloud, which comprises roughly 100 galaxies and galaxy clusters.