![](\"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Spiral_elliptical_irregular_small.jpg\")
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\nThis image shows an\u00a0irregular galaxy\u00a0named IC 10, a member of\u00a0the Local Group\u00a0\u2014 a collectiongrouping of over 50 galaxies inwithin our cosmic neighbourhood that includes\u00a0the Milky Way.\n<\/p>\n
\nIC 10 is a remarkable object. It is the closest-known\u00a0starburst galaxy\u00a0to us, meaning that it is undergoing a furious bout of\u00a0star formation\u00a0fueled by ample supplies of cool hydrogen gas. This gas condensescongeals into vast molecular clouds, which then formcondense into dense knots where pressures and temperatures reach a point sufficient to ignite\u00a0nuclear fusion, thus giving rise to new generations of stars. \u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\nAs an irregular galaxy, IC 10 lacks the majestic shape of\u00a0spiral galaxies\u00a0such as the Milky Way, or the rounded, ethereal appearance of\u00a0elliptical galaxies. It is a faint object, despite its relative proximity to us \u2014 justof 2.2 million light-years. In fact, IC 10 only became known to humankind in 1887, when American astronomer\u00a0Lewis Swift spotted it during an observing campaign. The small galaxy remains difficult to study even today, because it is located along a line -of -sight which is chock-full of cosmic dust and stars.\n<\/p>\n
\nA version of this image was entered into the\u00a0Hubble’s Hidden Treasures\u00a0image processing competition by contestant Nikolaus Sulzenauer, and went on to\u00a0win tenth prize.\n<\/p>\n