A spiral galaxy with a secret

Despite its appearance, which looks much like countless other galaxies, Messier 106 hides a number of secrets. In this episode of the Hubblecast, Dr Joe Liske (aka Dr J) takes us on a tour of the galaxy. Thanks to a new image, which combines data from Hubble with observations by amateur astronomer Robert Gendler, the galaxy's secrets are revealed as never before.

Credit:

ESA/Hubble
Visual design and editing: Martin Kornmesser
Web and technical support: Mathias Andre and Raquel Yumi Shida
Written by: Nicky Guttridge and Oli Usher
Narrator: Dr Joe Liske (Dr J)
Images: NASA, ESA, R. Gendler, J GaBany, Digitized Sky Survey 2
Music: Toomas Erm
Directed by: Oli Usher
Executive producer: Lars Lindberg Christensen