A mound of stars rises from the brim of a galactic disk in this image of an edge-on spiral galaxy.
This galaxy’s prominent features include a wide, flat disk, nearly 2,000 globular clusters and a bulge of stars similar to the Milky Way’s. Also, learn how the appearance of a galaxy differs depending upon the angle from which it is viewed.
Included is an inquiry-based classroom activity that focuses on the image and text.
This Hubble Space Telescope image shows the spiral Sombrero Galaxy. Viewed nearly edge-on, it reveals a dazzling bulge of central stars much like the ones in our own Milky Way. The text describes the galaxy's prominent features and discusses how galaxies' appearances differ depending on the angle from which they are seen. Includes a classroom activity.
Teachers can use this lithograph as:
An engagement tool in an inquiry-based lesson. Have students study the image side of the lithograph. Ask them to write down any questions they have about the image. When the students are finished, their questions can be used in a variety of ways:
A content reading tool. Have students read the back of the lithograph and then write a quiz for the class.
An example of an edge-on galaxy. Use the inquiry-based classroom activity called "In Search of Galaxy Orientation" that is included with the PDF lithograph.
HubbleSite press release: "Hubble Mosaic of the Majestic Sombrero Galaxy"
Amazing Space resources by topic: Galaxies