# @hubbleesa on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DaSiqkrkiPe
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/67493198-hubbleesa-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/73348459c9.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-07-02T12:00:25.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Hubble Space Telescope (@hubbleesa) — https://gondola.cc/hubbleesa

## Caption

Our #HubbleTopImage features a cosmic question mark ✨❓⁠
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Curling around itself like a question mark, NGC 4696 is an elliptical galaxy with a difference.⁠
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Most likely formed by collisions between spiral galaxies, elliptical galaxies experience a brief burst of star formation triggered as the interstellar dust and gas crash into each other, but which quickly leaves them exhausted. With no more gas to form new stars, the galaxies are left as shapeless collections of ageing stars.⁠
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But NGC 4696 is more interesting than most elliptical galaxies.⁠
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For more information check the link in bio.⁠
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📷 ESA/Hubble & NASA⁠
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#ESA #Hubble

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,304
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- **Comments:** 4

## Tags

hubble, hubbletopimage, esa

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