From the 2Mass Image Gallery
The atlas image mosaic of NGC 205 (Messier 110), a dwarf elliptical companion of the giant spiral Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31; M31), in the Local Group of galaxies. NGC 205 is peculiar in that evidence exists for recent star formation in what nominally should be a galaxy composed of old stars. This is in the form of centrally-concentrated bright early type stars, neutral and molecular gas, and dust, much of it in clouds and some of it very cold. A quite modest star formation episode occurred over the last 100 million years. Where the star-forming gas originally came from is a mystery, possibly from interaction with M31 or from the environment of the M31 system. Image mosaic by S. Van Dyk (IPAC).
This image is a three-band composite constructed from 2MASS Atlas Images. They are infrared images and therefore must be mapped into false colors: J light (1.2 µm) into blue, H light (1.6 µm) in green, and Ks light (2.2 µm) into red. The Atlas Images are produced in the 2MASS Production Processing System. North is up and east is to the left.The text is based on accompanying on-line materials.
Last Modified On: Sunday, December 17, 2000