Missing autumnal foods already? NASA have got you covered with a cosmic cinnamon bun!
Check out this stunning image captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope on 20th November 2020.
This galaxy, located in the constellation Andromeda, vaguely represents a cinnamon bun - although it's name, UGC 12588, doesn't sound half as tasty. It looks like this because it doesn't have some of the classic features of a spiral galaxy, such as a distinct spiral arm pattern. It's compacted centre and fluffy-looking edges make it more reminiscent of a delicious treat, rather than a cluster of stars!
The blue stars around the edges give the best view of the spiral arms, and also show the areas in which new star formation is occurring.
Stunning!
Image: ESA/Hubble & Nasa, R. Tully; Acknowledgement: Gagandeep Anad
NASA, 2020. 'Hubble Captures Cosmic Cinnamon Bun'. Available at https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/goddard/2020/hubble-captures-cosmic-cinnamon-bun
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