03/23/2026
NGC 3184 - Little Pinwheel
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Disillusioned with your news feed? In these times, you may find some inner peace by looking outward, toward the expanse of our cosmos. I shot this picture of perhaps a trillion alien worlds to brighten your day.
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NGC 3184 is a spiral galaxy about 40 million light years distant. Its nickname comes from its resemblance to the more well known Pinwheel Galaxy. At about half the physical size of this larger namesake, the “Little Pinwheel” is appropriately titled.
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Nevertheless, our face-on view allows us a beautiful look into a classic “grand design” spiral structure. The main arms are studded with vibrant Blue Supergiant stars and magenta-hued hydrogen clouds, both hallmarks of vigorous star formation.
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Studies have shown NGC3184 to be extraordinarily rich in heavy elements … the building blocks of complex life … and advanced civilization. If that’s not enough, swipe to zoom out and just look at all the other galaxies sprinkled in the background. It doesn’t end.
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May you find your humility among the stars.
I hope you enjoy!
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✨ —> 🔭
Celestron EdgeHD 8”
ZWO ASI1600MM
Orion AtlasPro
LRGB
38.3 hours total exposure
From the backyard
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