NGC 2207 and IC 2163 – Hubble Space Telescope Image

IC 2163 and NGC 2207 fill this Hubble Space Telescope image with two expansive, intricately textured forms set against near-black space. One galaxy curls through orange-brown clouds threaded with blue; beside it, the brighter nucleus of its companion anchors a web of pale filaments and cooler blue light. Located 110 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Canis Major, they are classified as an interacting pair of galaxies.

The distance gives the apparent encounter an extraordinary context: the light recorded here began its journey towards Earth 110 million years ago. Released in November 1999, the image presents the pair not as isolated objects but as a closely associated system, their broad, asymmetrical structures sharing the frame.

A closer look

On the left, densely folded orange and brown textures form a granular swirl. Narrow streaks of blue appear between the warmer regions, while a faint blue haze softens the galaxy’s lower boundary. Small white points above its brighter interior provide moments of sharpness amid the more diffuse light.

The galaxy on the right is organised around the image’s brightest nucleus. From this concentrated centre, luminous structures sweep outwards into darker surroundings; along the outer regions, delicate blue wisps become especially distinct against the black field. Near the lower edge, a subdued orange bulge provides a quieter counterweight to the sharper blue highlights.

The most absorbing passage lies between the two galaxies. Here, faint overlapping forms make their visual relationship difficult to separate at a glance: granular orange regions, dim extensions and fine strands of light appear layered across one another. Around the pair, scattered points of light punctuate the open darkness without distracting from the scale and complexity of the central forms.

Image details and provenance

• Subject: IC 2163 and NGC 2207
• Object type: Interacting galaxies
• Constellation: Canis Major
• Distance from Earth: 110 million light-years
• Telescope: Hubble Space Telescope
• Original release date: 4 November 1999, 07:00
• Image credit: NASA / ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team ( STScI )

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