                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2026 August 30
    A large spiral galaxy occupies the frame, with a bright white center
    slightly toward the upper left, and blue hued spiral arms laced with
    dark dust surrounding the center. Please see the explanation for more
                            detailed information.

                         M74: A Grand Design Spiral
   Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScI / AURA)- ESA /
                            Hubble Collaboration
      Acknowledgment: R. Chandar (U. Toledo) & J. Miller (U. Michigan)

   Explanation: If not the most grand, then this spiral galaxy is at least
   one of the most photogenic. An island universe of about 100 billion
   stars, 32 million light-years away toward the constellation Pisces, M74
   presents a gorgeous face-on view. Classified as an Sc galaxy, the grand
   design of M74's graceful spiral arms are traced by bright blue star
   clusters and dark cosmic dust lanes. Constructed from archival images,
   this sharp composite is from the Hubble Space Telescope. Spanning about
   30,000 light-years across the face of M74, it includes exposures
   recording emission from hydrogen atoms, highlighting the reddish glow
   of the galaxy's large star-forming regions.

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                     Tomorrow's picture: eclipse flight
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

