Woomera ObservatoryWoomera Astronomy Images M57 Ring Nebula Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
Following barred spiral galaxy named Messier 83 (or M83) and known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy and NGC 5236, is approximately 15 million light-years away in the constellation borders of Hydra and Centaurus.
One of the closest and brightest barred spiral galaxies in the sky, it is visible with binoculars. It’s name of “Southern Pinwheel” is derived from the resemblance to the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101). A photograph of Messier 101, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope can be found on the NASA website.
Discovered by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille on 23 February 1752 at the Cape of Good Hope, it was add by Charles Messier to his catalogue of nebulous objects (now known as the Messier Catalogue) in March 1781.
Messier 83 Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
Photographer © Darren Chase, Woomera
Footnote & References
- Messier 83, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_83 (last visited June 22, 2022).
- Explore – The Night Sky | Hubble’s Messier Catalog, NASA, https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-s-messier-catalog
Woomera ObservatoryWoomera Astronomy Images M57 Ring Nebula Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
WoomeraWoomera Observatory Woomera Astronomy Images M57 Ring Nebula Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
South AustraliaAdelaide Hills Alberrie Creek Algebuckina Bridge Belair National Park Kangaroo Island Kanku–Breakaways Conservation Park Mount Gambier Oodnadatta Oodnadatta Track Orroroo Port Augusta Port Germein Wabma Kadarbu Conservation Park William Creek Wilpena Pound Witjira National Park Woomera