NGC 7184, or the Little Sombrero Galaxy, is about the same actual size as its namesake at eighty thousand light-years across. However, the Sombrero Galaxy is twice as close, so it has a bigger angular size in our sky.

Both of the Sombrero galaxies actually resemble the Mexican hat design – at least from our edge-on perspective. This orientation allows scientists to see the massive clouds of gas and dust above and below the disk of the galaxy but also hides any spiral structure the systems might have.

This image was taken in optical and infrared using the Advanced Camera for Surveys on Hubble, to help scientists understand the stars inside the galaxy and learn how they might have evolved.

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NASA Goddard image release