NGC 4383, a spiral galaxy residing within the nearby Virgo Cluster, has become a hot topic among astronomers for its dramatic ongoing event. Unlike its tranquil neighbors, NGC 4383 has earned the nickname "explosion galaxy" due to a colossal gas outflow – a staggering amount of gas, equivalent to over 50 million suns, spewing outwards. This isn't a random event; the gas forms a gigantic, hourglass-shaped structure stretching over 20,000 light-years in each direction, a rare phenomenon known as a bipolar outflow. It's as if the galaxy itself has two powerful fountains erupting from its core, spewing gas at velocities exceeding 210 kilometers per second! This unique bipolar structure sets NGC 4383 apart and hints at the complex interplay of forces driving the outflow. But what fuels this galactic fountain? Deep within NGC 4383 lies the heart of the drama – a frenzy of star formation unlike anything seen in its neighbors. This galaxy is a stellar factory, churning out ...
“The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can't imagine”