Credit: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Adam Block

This fantastic edge-on spiral galaxy in Pegasus proves to be an interesting object when displayed in the way shown. First, the plane of the galaxy is slightly warped and twisted. NGC 7814 is one of a few bright galaxies that shows this feature in optical wavelengths. Second the number of background galaxies in this direction is impressive. Besides being pretty, these far off beacons have been used by astronomers to try to determine the amount of gas and dust in the halo of NGC 7814. As the light of background galaxies passes through the foreground halo of NGC 7814 it becomes dimmer (redder). Finally, be certain to note the very slight deviation from being truly edge-on. The background dust lanes can be seen "above" and through the halo giving this galaxy more depth than is usually displayed. This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.

Provider: NOIRLab

Image Source: https://noirlab.edu/public/images/noao-n7814block/

Curator: NSF's NOIRLab, Tucson, AZ, USA

Image Use Policy: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License