Astronomers have recently captured a striking new image of the dwarf starburst galaxy NGC 4449 using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.

NGC 4449, also known as Caldwell 21, LEDA 40973, or UGC 7592, is located about 12.5 million light-years away in the constellation of Canes Venatici. This galaxy spans approximately 20,000 light-years across and was first discovered by astronomer William Herschel in 1788. It is part of the M94 galaxy group, situated near the Local Group that houses our Milky Way.

The Hubble astronomers describe NGC 4449 as a dwarf galaxy, smaller and containing fewer stars than the Milky Way. Despite its size, NGC 4449 is a prolific star-forming region, earning it the classification of a starburst galaxy. Unlike most starburst galaxies that primarily produce stars in their centers, NGC 4449 is ablaze with young stars across its entirety.

Researchers believe that the intense star formation in NGC 4449 is a result of its interactions with neighboring galaxies. Its proximity offers a unique opportunity for Hubble to study how galaxy interactions influence star formation processes.

The new color image of NGC 4449 combines data from Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) across ultraviolet, near-infrared, and optical wavelengths. Seven different filters were used to capture various wavelengths, resulting in a vibrant and detailed portrayal of the galaxy.

Compared to a previous image released in 2007, this updated version includes additional wavelengths of light collected by Hubble for various research programs. These programs cover a wide range of scientific investigations, from studying NGC 4449's star formation history to identifying the brightest and most massive stars in neighboring galaxies.