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Hubble highlights two galaxies in new image

Hubble captures images of NGC 4424, cataloged in the New General Catalog of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars, and LEDA 213994.

By Amy Wallace
Two galaxies are clearly visible in this Hubble image, the larger of which is NGC 4424. The smaller, flatter, bright galaxy sitting just below NGC 4424 is named LEDA 213994. Photo by ESA/Hubble & NASA
Two galaxies are clearly visible in this Hubble image, the larger of which is NGC 4424. The smaller, flatter, bright galaxy sitting just below NGC 4424 is named LEDA 213994. Photo by ESA/Hubble & NASA

March 31 (UPI) -- NASA's Hubble space telescope has captured new images of two galaxies, NGC 4424 and LEDA 213994.

The larger galaxy, NGC 4424, is cataloged in the New General Catalog of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars, or NGC, which was compiled in 1888.

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The NGC is one of the largest astronomical catalogs containing 7,840 entries and is why it is often featured in the Hubble Pictures of the Week. Stars in the NGC are typically larger, brighter and more visible in the night sky and stand out among stargazers.

The smaller, flatter galaxy identified just below NGC 4424 is LEDA 213994 and is part of the Lyon-Meudon Extragalactic Database, or LEDA, which is more modern than the NGC and contains millions of objects.

Many astronomical objects are names based on mythology such as Leda which was a princess in ancient Greek mythology.

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