NGC 3344 is a face-on, weakly barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Leo Minor, about 20-25 million light-years away, roughly half the size of the Milky Way. It features inner and outer rings, a subtle central bar, and active star formation in its arms, but the unusual motion of its outer stars puzzles astronomers, possibly hinting at a past galactic encounter. It's also nicknamed the "Sliced Onion Galaxy" due to its layered appearance at higher magnification.
Key Characteristics
Type: Weakly barred spiral galaxy (SABbc).
Location: Constellation Leo Minor, part of the Leo Spur of the Virgo Supercluster.
Distance: Approximately 20-25 million light-years.
Size: About half the size of the Milky Way.
Appearance: Seen face-on, revealing inner and outer rings, a central bar, and spiral arms.
Star Formation: Young, hot, blue stars are found in the spiral arms, while dust and gas clouds appear red.
Nickname: "Sliced Onion Galaxy".
Notable Features & Mysteries
Face-on View: Its orientation allows for detailed study of its structure.
Central Bar: A subtle bar of stars and gas is present in the center, common in spiral galaxies.
Unusual Stellar Motion: The outer stars move in a way that can't be fully explained by the central bar, leading to theories of past interactions with other galaxies. Image Credit ESA/Hubble, NASA
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