Astronomy Picture of the Day · February 11, 2004

M64: The Sleeping Beauty Galaxy

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for February 11, 2004 is “M64: The Sleeping Beauty Galaxy,” an image. It is credited to Credit: NASA and the Hubble Heritage Team ( AURA / STScI ), S. Smartt ( IoA ) & D. Richstone ( U. Michigan ) et al.. The original explanation runs about 122 words.

From the explanation

“The Sleeping Beauty galaxy may appear peaceful at first sight but it is actually tossing and turning. In an unexpected twist, recent observations have shown that the gas in the outer regions of this photogenic spiral is rotating in the opposite direction from all of the stars!”

— APOD editors, February 11, 2004

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: February 11, 2004
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: NASA and the Hubble Heritage Team ( AURA / STScI ), S. Smartt ( IoA ) & D. Richstone ( U. Michigan ) et al.
Copyright: No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 122 words

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Topics in this entry

Galaxies

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: February 11 in other years

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Source

Astronomy Picture of the Day, February 11, 2004 — science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2004-february-11-m64-the-sleeping-beauty-galaxy

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.