APOD: 2022 May 8 - Spiral Galaxy NGC 1512: The Inner Rings

Good morning, Rallypoint, and welcome to the 2022 Mother's Day edition of the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD): 'Spiral Galaxy NGC 1512: The Inner Rings." Today's feature galaxy is one of two (NGC 1510 is the other) located some 38 (other accounts say 60) million light years from Earth in the southern constellation Horologium (The Clock). NGC 1510 is just out of frame to the right, and the two galaxies are in the process of merging.

Our focus, though, is on NGC 1512. It is a barred spiral galaxy, and it has both a central nuclear ring (viewed edge on) connecting both ends of its inner rings (I know...how can an outer ring be an inner ring?). The multiple clumps of bright blue (young and hot) stars spread along the outer edge of the inner ring are evidence of the interaction with nearby NGC 1510. These stars will eventually end their lives as supernovae, adding additional sparkle to the ongoing dance of creation.