The bright galaxy NGC 3810 demonstrates
classical spiral structure in this very detailed image from
Hubble. The bright central region is thought to be forming many
new stars and is outshining the outer areas of the galaxy by
some margin. Further out the galaxy displays strikingly rich
dust clouds along its spiral arms. A close look shows that
Hubble’s sharp vision also allows many individual stars to be
seen. Hot young blue stars show up in giant clusters far from
the centre and the arms are also littered with bright red giant
stars. NGC 3810 is located about 50 million light-years from
Earth in the constellation of Leo. It was discovered by William
Herschel in 1784 and is easily seen as a faint smudge in small
telescopes.
