When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Located in the constellation Leo, spiral galaxy NGC 3370 has long been a favorite among astronomers. NGC 3370 is part of a small galaxy group that also other galaxies studied by the Hubble Space Telescope. Studying these galaxies together helps astronomers understand how galaxies interact, evolve and influence one another over cosmic timescales.
What is it?
Spiral galaxies are among the most striking and familiar structures in the universe. Characterized by graceful, winding arms that spiral out from a bright central bulge, these systems are rich with both young and old stars, swirling gas and cosmic dust.
The Milky Way, our own galactic home, is one such spiral, and studying other examples like NGC 3370 provides astronomers with clues about how galaxies form and evolve.
Where is it?
Spiral galaxy NGC 3370 is located 90 million light years away in the Leo constellation.
Why is it amazing?
NGC 3370 is home to two types of celestial landmarks that have helped astronomers chart cosmic distances with precision: Cepheid variable stars and Type la supernovas. Cepheids are pulsating stars whose brightness rises and falls in predictable cycles, the longer the period of pulsation, the more luminous they are. Meanwhile, Type la supernovas occur when a white dwarf star undergoes a thermonuclear explosion, reaching nearly the same peak brightness each time.
By comparing how bright these objects appear from Earth with how bright they actually are, astronomers can calculate their distances, and in turn, measure how quickly the universe is expanding. Together, these "standard candles" form the backbone of the cosmic distance ladder, a framework that has shaped our modern understanding of cosmic scale and motion.
Want to learn more?
You can learn more about the Hubble Space Telescope and galaxy formation.
latest_posts
- 1
Wedding trip Objections in Europe - 2Find the Historical backdrop of the Modern Unrest: Changing Society and Innovation
- 3Hot peppers sent him to the ER. Two years later, a ‘ghost bill’ arrived.
- 4The Most Vital Crossroads in Olympic History
- 5Kremlin: Russian troops conquer Pokrovsk after year of intense combat
- ‘It’s Israeli policy’: Report reveals abuse of Palestinians in prisons
- Israeli president concerned over proposed renaming of park
- UAE recalls some Nestle infant formula products, Qatar warns consumers
- Finding Ideal Date Spots for Two or three Encounters
- Hilary Duff's husband responds to Ashley Tisdale's 'toxic' mom group claims: The drama, explained
- I visited the largest collection of public telescopes in the US in Oregon's high desert, and the dark skies blew me away
- Virtual reality opens doors for older people to build closer connections in real life
- RFK Jr. guts the US childhood vaccine schedule despite its decades-long safety record
- Motivational Travel Objections for History Buffs
