This is an image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope of NGC 4449, one of the dwarf galaxies in the Galaxies Losing Oxygen via Winds (GLOW) study. Researchers found that dwarf galaxies can hold onto only a small fraction of the oxygen made by stars. Energy from the low-mass galaxies’ massive stars and galactic winds unleashed by supernovae are apparently more effective at driving out the oxygen than current models predict.Deep Zoom ImageDive deeper into this image.
Image Description: Clumpy, irregular, cloud-like dwarf galaxy in a roughly rectangular shape is speckled with small, bright, blue points of light and larger, light pink patches throughout. Dark brown and milky white areas are also smudged throughout the center of the galaxy. The galaxy appears against a mostly black background lightly dotted with tiny white, blue and red stars and galaxies.
Image Description: Clumpy, irregular, cloud-like dwarf galaxy in a roughly rectangular shape is speckled with small, bright, blue points of light and larger, light pink patches throughout. Dark brown and milky white areas are also smudged throughout the center of the galaxy. The galaxy appears against a mostly black background lightly dotted with tiny white, blue and red stars and galaxies.
| Object Name | NGC 4449 |
|---|---|
| Object Description | Dwarf Galaxy |
| Release Date | November 2, 2026 |
| Science Release | NASA’s Hubble Uncovers Case of Missing Oxygen in Nearby Dwarf Galaxies |
| Credit | Image: NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage–ESA/Hubble Collaboration, Alessandra Aloisi (STScI, ESA) |
| Last UpdatedLocationContact | Nov 02, 2026NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterMediaClaire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland [email protected] |
| Last Updated | Nov 02, 2026 |
| Location | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Contact | MediaClaire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland [email protected] |
| Related Terms | Hubble Space Telescope, Galaxies |
