NGC660 and IC148

NGC660 (visible in the on the right) is a special kind of galaxy, a so called “polar ring galaxy”. This means the galaxy has an outer arm of dust and stars, which rotates over the poles of the galaxy, creating what appears like an “X” going through the core of the galaxy. It is theorized that this odd shape originates from two galaxies interacting by passing next to each other or merging together.

The galaxy is located ~40 million light years away in the constellation Pisces.

On the left side lays the smaller galaxy IC 148 located roughly 36 million light years away.