Hubble Telescope Spies Milky Way Galaxy's Twin

SPACE.com Staff

Date: 03 February 2012 Time: 07:00 AM ET

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The barred spiral galaxy NGC 1073 is seen in this image from the Hubble Space Telescope. CREDIT: NASA & ESA View full size image

An uncanny twin of our own Milky Way galaxy takes center stage in a new cosmic portrait by the Hubble Space Telescope unveiled today (Feb. 3).
The amazing photo shows the galaxy NGC 1073, a barred spiral like our own Milky Way. The galaxy is located 55 million light-years away in the constellation of Cetus (The Sea Monster).
By looking at cosmic wonders thought to be similar to our own galactic home, astronomers hope to learn more about the Milky Way, which we can only see from the inside.

MORE: http://www.space.com/14461-hubble-photo-milkyway-galaxy-twin.html

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Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director,
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