NGC 6503 facts for kids
.jpg)
NGC 6503 is a fascinating dwarf spiral galaxy found in the Draco constellation. It's a bit like a smaller version of our own Milky Way galaxy. This distant galaxy is located about 17 million light-years away from Earth.
Contents
What is a Galaxy?
A galaxy is a huge group of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter, all held together by gravity. There are billions of galaxies in the universe! Galaxies come in different shapes, like spirals, ellipticals, and irregular shapes.
Spiral Galaxies Explained
Spiral galaxies, like NGC 6503, have a flat, rotating disk with spiral "arms" that reach out from a central bulge. These arms are full of young, bright stars, gas, and dust. The center of a spiral galaxy usually has older stars.
Why is NGC 6503 a Dwarf Galaxy?
NGC 6503 is called a "dwarf" galaxy because it's much smaller than giant galaxies like the Milky Way. Dwarf galaxies have fewer stars and are less bright. They are actually the most common type of galaxy in the universe, but they are harder to see because they are so small and faint.
Where Can We Find NGC 6503?
NGC 6503 is located in the northern sky, within the Draco constellation. Draco is named after a dragon and is one of the 88 modern constellations. You can find it near the Big Dipper in the night sky.
How Far Away is It?
When we say NGC 6503 is 17 million light-years away, it means the light we see from it today started its journey 17 million years ago! A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, which is about 9.46 trillion kilometers (or 5.88 trillion miles). This shows just how incredibly vast space is.
How Do We Study Distant Galaxies?
Astronomers use powerful telescopes to study galaxies like NGC 6503. The Hubble Space Telescope is one famous example. These telescopes collect light from distant objects, allowing scientists to learn about their size, shape, and how they move. By studying different galaxies, we can learn more about how the universe formed and how it is changing.
Images for kids
-
NGC 6503 by Hubble Space Telescope
-
NGC 6503 (HST)
-
NGC 6503 from Hubble.
See also
In Spanish: NGC 6503 para niños
