NGC 1808- In Columba

NGC 1808 is a barred spiral galaxy of some 35,000 light-years across, located about 40 million light-years away in the southern constellation Columba. NGC 1808 is undergoing so much star formation it has been deemed a starburst galaxy. The galaxy is moving away from us at 995 kilometers per second.

NGC 1808 is distinguished by a peculiar and complex nucleus, an unusually warped disk, and strange flows of hydrogen gas out from the central regions. The galaxy’s center is the hotbed of vigorous star formation.

The starburst must be at least 50 million years old, and can be no older than 100 million years old. Star formation has been rapid and continuous. Without an influx of fresh molecular gas into the central region, the star forming activity can only be maintained at this rate for another 6 to 20 million years.

NGC 1808 is called a barred spiral galaxy because of the straight lines of star formation on both sides of the bright nucleus. This star formation may have been triggered by the rotation of the bar, or by matter which is streaming along the bar towards the nuclear region (feeding the starburst). Filaments of dust are being ejected from the core into the galactic halo by massive stars that have exploded as supernovae in the starburst region.

Latest Version Processed by Mike and Myself (only using 1 meter and 700 data)

Rarely imaged outer arms and wonderful star rejoins and an active core, make this a wonderful image.