# @europeanspaceagency on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C-k1TruNYrW
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/35585073-europeanspaceagency-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/79e74c2427.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-08-12T15:50:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** J.L.Lopez (@xandler80) — https://gondola.cc/xandler80

## Caption

Share this with the Leo in your life ♌️

The regal constellation of Leo, named after the lion, shines brightly in the night sky, and it’s no surprise that it’s home to some of the most fascinating cosmic wonders. Here are a few celestial treasures captured by @esaweb and @hubbleesa that lie within Leo’s domain:

1. NGC 3351: This beautiful spiral galaxy, located 33 million light-years away, helps researchers study all phases of star formation, from dusty gas clouds to the energy that shapes galaxies.

2. NGC 3521: Known as a flocculent spiral galaxy, NGC 3521 has a woolly appearance rather than distinct spiral arms. About 40 million light-years away, it’s nicknamed the Bubble Galaxy due to its rounded glow seen through telescopes.

3. NGC 3239: This irregular galaxy, formed from a merger of two galaxies, is studded with regions of star formation. Located 25 million light-years away, it’s also home to supernova SN 2012A.

4. NGC 3370: Amid a backdrop of distant galaxies, this dusty spiral galaxy is known for hosting a supernova, SN 1994ae, one of the best observed since modern digital detectors were introduced. This galaxy sits 98 million light-years away.

5. Frosty Leo Nebula: A rare protoplanetary nebula rich in ice grains, it lies 3 000 light-years from Earth. Its intricate structure suggests complex formation processes, possibly involving an unseen second star.

6. M66: An unusual spiral galaxy with asymmetric arms and a displaced core, likely due to interactions with its neighboring galaxies. It’s about 35 million light-years away and spans 100 000 light-years across.

These images remind us that Leo season brings a majestic presence.

📸 @NASA, @europeanspaceagency, @canadianspaceagency, @sace_telescopes, J. Lee (STScI), T. Williams (Oxford), PHANGS Team
📸 ESA/Hubble & NASA and S. Smartt (@qubelfast)
Acknowledgement: Robert Gendler
📸 ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Dalcanton, A. Filippenko 
📸 NASA/ESA, The Hubble Heritage Team and A. Riess (STScI)
📸 ESA/Hubble & NASA
📸 NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration. Acknowledgement: Davide De Martin and Robert Gendler

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- **Likes:** 75,917
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## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ESA - European Space Agency | @europeanspaceagency | https://gondola.cc/europeanspaceagency | Government Organization |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Producer |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Editor |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Social Media Manager |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Publisher |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Copywriter |
| J.L.Lopez | @xandler80 | https://gondola.cc/xandler80 | Community Manager |

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