APOD: 2026 January 29 - NGC 2442: Galaxy in Volans

Good morning, Rallypoint, and welcome to the January 29, 2026 edition of Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD).

We take our leave of the constellation Orion and head south to the constellation Volans (Flying Fish). Many of us (including me) may not be familiar with Volans, and the reason is simple: it is only visible from 15° North latitude and points further South. So if you've never been to places like Mali, Niger, Eritrea, or the Indian Ocean, Volans hasn't been on your star gazing list.

Back to NGC 2442. Volans is one of the 12 constellations that were introduced by the Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman in the late 16th century. Researchers suspect that the apparent distorted structure (the two spiral arms extending from its central bar give it a hooked-shape) of NGC 2442 is likely the result of an ancient close encounter with the smaller galaxy that lies off top left of the frame.