<p>Relatively short arms of gas and dust lend a woolly appearance to the flocculent spiral galaxy known as NGC 2841 in a new picture released last week taken by the <a href="http://www.spacetelescope.org/">NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope</a>.</p><p>The galaxy lies about 46 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. NGC 2841 is unusual because its tightly curled arms display a relatively low rate of star formation compared with other spiral galaxies.</p>

Fuzzy Wuzzy Galaxy

Relatively short arms of gas and dust lend a woolly appearance to the flocculent spiral galaxy known as NGC 2841 in a new picture released last week taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.

The galaxy lies about 46 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. NGC 2841 is unusual because its tightly curled arms display a relatively low rate of star formation compared with other spiral galaxies.

Image courtesy ESA/NASA

Space Pictures This Week: Woolly Galaxy, Solar Flare, Shuttle

An island draped in sea ice, flares spurting from the sun, and dark landslides on the moon are featured among the week's best space pictures.

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Read This Next

SeaWorld violated the Animal Welfare Act. Why is it still open?
'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought
World’s first ultrasounds of wild manta rays reveal a troubling truth

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet