The edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 4522 | Hubble Space Telescope by Deep Field

Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) allows astronomers to study an interesting and important phenomenon called ram pressure stripping that is so powerful, it is capable of mangling galaxies and even halting their star formation.

NGC 4522 is a spectacular example of a spiral galaxy that is currently being stripped of its gas content. The galaxy is part of the Virgo galaxy cluster and its rapid motion within the cluster results in strong winds across the galaxy as the gas within is left behind. Scientists estimate that the galaxy is moving at more than 10 million kilometres per hour. A number of newly formed star clusters that developed in the stripped gas can be seen in the Hubble image. The stripped spiral galaxy is located some 60 million light-years away from Earth.

The image is presented with a scientific information layer that adds context to the astronomical object, including its name, classification, distance from Earth, constellation, field of view, and the filters used to create the image. The filter information is visualized using the corresponding wavelengths, expressed in nanometers or micrometers.

This combination of astronomical imagery and scientific information makes the work both a striking piece of space art and an accessible introduction to the universe beyond Earth.

The artwork is created from the highest-resolution source material published by ESA/Hubble and is suitable for large-format printing.