Bursts of pink and red, dark lanes of mottled cosmic dust, and a bright scattering of stars. #NASA #Space #FridaysinSpace

• NASA ID: GSFC_20171208_Archive_e000648
• Album: Test
• Center: GSFC
• Creator: NASA Goddard
• Date Created: 2017-12-08
• Visit GSFC Website

Bursts of pink and red, dark lanes of mottled cosmic dust, and a bright scattering of stars — this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows part of a messy barred spiral galaxy known as NGC 428. It lies approximately 48 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Cetus (The Sea Monster). Although a spiral shape is still just about visible in this close-up shot, overall NGC 428’s spiral structure appears to be quite distorted and warped, thought to be a result of a collision between two galaxies. There also appears to be a substantial amount of star formation occurring within NGC 428 — another telltale sign of a merger. When galaxies collide their clouds of gas can merge, creating intense shocks and hot pockets of gas, and often triggering new waves of star formation. NGC 428 was discovered by William Herschel in December 1786. More recently a type of supernova designated SN2013ct was discovered within the galaxy by Stuart Parker of the BOSS (Backyard Observatory Supernova Search) project in Australia and New Zealand, although it is unfortunately not visible in this image. This image was captured by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2). Image credit: ESA/Hubble and NASA and S. Smartt (Queen's University Belfast), Acknowledgements: Nick Rose and Flickr user pennine cloud <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

What's happening in February on Romance -  Sweet to Heat

8 – SPOTLIGHT – Larry Yoke – Second Chances

9 - Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

10 – NEBT Author Spotlight – BJ Wane – Submitting to the Cattleman

11 – TBA

12 - Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

13 - Thursday #Yoga

14 – My Blog. My Post. My Books.

15 – SPOTLIGHT – Lexxie Couper - Unconditional

16 – Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

17 - NEBT Author Spotlight – TBA

18 – TBA

19 – Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

20 - My Blog. My Post. My Books.

21 – Fridays in Space

22 – SPOTLIGHT – Lilliana Rose - The Waking of Ghosts

23 -  Weekend Writing Warriors #8Sunday

24 – NEBT Author Spotlight – TBA

25 – TBA

26 - Book Hooks #MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor

27 - Thursday #Yoga

28 – My Blog. My Post. My Books.

29 – SPOTLIGHT – Addison Carmichael - Hunted by the Dragon

Follow Me on Twitter