NGC 253 is a normal spiral galaxy seen here
almost sideways. It is the largest member of the Sculptor Group of Galaxies,
the nearest group to our own Local Group of Galaxies.
NGC 253
appears visually as one of the brightest spirals
on the sky, and is easily visible in southern hemisphere with
a good pair of binoculars. The type "Sc" galaxy is
about 10 million light years distant. NGC 253 is considered a "starburst" galaxy
because of high star formation rates and dense dust clouds in its nucleus.
The energetic nuclear region
is seen to glow in X-ray and gamma-ray light.
