Hubble Seeks Clusters in ‘Lost Galaxy’
The Hubble Space Telescope continues to unveil the mysteries of the universe with its latest observations of the spiral galaxy NGC 4535, located approximately 50 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. This galaxy, often referred to as the “Lost Galaxy” due to its faint visibility through smaller telescopes, has been captured in stunning detail by Hubble’s nearly eight-foot mirror. The telescope’s unique vantage point above Earth’s atmosphere allows it to observe dim galaxies like NGC 4535, revealing intricate features such as its prominent spiral arms and a central bar of stars. The latest image showcases the galaxy’s young star clusters, surrounded by glowing-pink clouds known as H II regions, which indicate the presence of hot, massive stars still in their formative years.
This observation is part of a broader initiative aimed at cataloging around 50,000 H II regions in nearby star-forming galaxies, enhancing our understanding of the relationship between young stars and the cold gas from which they form. The data collected through the PHANGS observing program underscores the dynamic nature of star formation, where massive stars interact with their environment, influencing their surroundings with stellar winds and ultimately culminating in spectacular supernova explosions. The new image not only builds upon previous observations of NGC 4535 from 2021 but also adds depth to our comprehension of the galaxy’s vibrant star-forming activity, illuminating the brilliant red glow of nebulae that encircle massive stars in their early life stages.
As the Hubble Space Telescope continues its mission, it remains a pivotal tool in astrophysics, providing invaluable insights into the cosmos. The telescope has profoundly impacted our understanding of the universe since its launch in 1990, revealing the intricate tapestry of galaxies, stars, and cosmic phenomena. With each new image and discovery, Hubble not only enhances our scientific knowledge but also inspires a sense of wonder and curiosity about the vastness of space. For those interested in exploring the night sky or learning more about Hubble’s remarkable contributions to science, the telescope’s extensive multimedia resources and ongoing research initiatives offer a wealth of information and engagement opportunities.
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2 min read
Hubble Seeks Clusters in ‘Lost Galaxy’
This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image features the spiral galaxy NGC 4535.
ESA/Hubble & NASA, F. Belfiore, J. Lee and the PHANGS-HST Team
Today’s NASA/ESA
Hubble Space Telescope
image features the spiral galaxy NGC 4535, which is situated about 50 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden). Through a small telescope, this galaxy appears extremely faint, giving it the nickname ‘Lost Galaxy’. With a mirror spanning nearly eight feet (2.4 meters) across and its location above Earth’s light-obscuring atmosphere, Hubble can easily observe dim galaxies like NGC 4535 and pick out features like its massive spiral arms and central bar of stars.
This image features NGC 4535’s young star clusters, which dot the galaxy’s spiral arms. Glowing-pink clouds surround many of these bright-blue star groupings. These clouds, called H II (‘H-two’) regions, are a sign that the galaxy is home to especially young, hot, and massive stars that blaze with high-energy radiation. Such massive stars shake up their surroundings by heating their birth clouds with powerful stellar winds, eventually exploding as supernovae.
The image incorporates data from an observing program designed to catalog roughly 50,000 H II regions in nearby star-forming galaxies like NGC 4535. Hubble released a previous image of
NGC 4535 in 2021
. Both the 2021 image and this new image incorporate observations from the
PHANGS observing program
, which seeks to understand the connections between young stars and cold gas. Today’s image adds a new dimension to our understanding of NGC 4535 by capturing the brilliant red glow of the nebulae that encircle massive stars in their first few million years of life.
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Media Contact
:
Claire Andreoli
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NASA’s
Goddard Space Flight Center
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Last Updated
Nov 21, 2025
Editor
Andrea Gianopoulos
Location
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Related Terms
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Astrophysics
Astrophysics Division
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Goddard Space Flight Center
Science Mission Directorate
Spiral Galaxies
Star Clusters
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