NGC 1309 is a spiral galaxy. The center of the galaxy is golden. The arms of the galaxy are made up of blue stars and gas, creating a swirling appearance. NGC 1309 is approximately 30,000 light-years in size (1 light-year is the distance light travels in one year, about 9.46 trillion kilometers). This is equivalent to one-third the size of our galaxy.
NGC 1309 is located in the direction of the Eridanus constellation. Eridanus means 'the river of death,' which crosses between the underworld and the living. In Greek mythology, it is the river where the sun god Apollo's son Phaethon fell and died while riding his chariot. The photo was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.
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