Galaxy NGC 2976

This detailed image reveals the inner region of NGC 2976, a peculiar spiral galaxy located roughly 11 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major, home to the famous Big Dipper asterism. Despite the absence of well-defined spiral arms typically associated with spiral galaxies, NGC 2976 is indeed classified as a spiral galaxy—albeit an unusual one. The galaxy's disrupted and asymmetric structure suggests it may have experienced gravitational interactions with nearby galaxies in the past, distorting its once-orderly spiral pattern. Its relatively close proximity to Earth makes NGC 2976 an excellent subject for studying stellar populations, star formation processes, and the effects of galactic interactions. The mottled appearance of star-forming regions and older stellar populations creates a complex tapestry that illustrates the diverse evolutionary pathways galaxies can take.