Settling into old age

NGC 3384, visible in this image, has many of the features characteristic of so-called elliptical galaxies . Such galaxies glow diffusely, are rounded in shape, display few visible features, and rarely show signs of recent star formation . Instead, they are dominated by old, ageing, and red-hued stars. This stands in contrast to the sprightliness of spiral galaxies such as our home galaxy, the Milky Way , which possess significant populations of young, blue stars in spiral arms swirling around a bright core.

However, NGC 3384 also displays a hint of disc-like structure towards its centre, in the form of a central ‘bar’ of stars cutting through its centre. Many spirals also boast such a bar, the Milky Way included; galactic bars are thought to funnel material through and around a galaxy’s core, helping to maintain and fuel the activities and processes occurring there.

NGC 3384 is located approximately 35 million light-years away in the constellation of Leo (The Lion) . This image was taken using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope ’s Advanced Camera for Surveys .