NGC 2217’s central bar, a prominent feature in barred spiral galaxies, plays a crucial role in its evolution. It channels gas from the galaxy’s disk towards its center, where it can either form new stars or be consumed by the supermassive black hole residing there. Supermassive black holes, ranging in mass from billions to hundreds of times that of the Sun, are common in large galaxies and are thought to influence their formation and growth. The image has been colorized with data from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS). This vivid representation allows astronomers to study the structure and dynamics of NGC 2217, shedding light on the processes that shape and influence the evolution of galaxies in the cosmos.
Hubble Peers into the Heart of Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 2217
