Astronomy Picture of the Day

  Stephan's Quintet Image Data: Hubble Legacy Archive, ESA, NASA; Processing: Hunter Wilson   Explanation: The first identified compact galaxy group, Stephan's Quintet is featured in this eye-catching image constructed with data drawn from the extensive Hubble Legacy Archive. About 300 million light-years away, only four galaxies of the group are actually locked in a cosmic dance of repeated close encounters. The odd man out is easy to spot, though. The ... Full Story