NGC 5457 (Pinwheel Galaxy)

NGC 5457, also known as the Pinwheel Galaxy, is a large, spiral galaxy located about 21 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. It features prominent, sweeping arms filled with young stars, glowing gas, and dust. As one of the brightest spiral galaxies visible with telescopes, it offers valuable insights into galaxy formation and evolution. Its structure resembles a pinwheel, hence the name. The galaxy's core harbors a supermassive black hole, and it's a site of active star formation. Its relative proximity and brightness make it a popular target for astronomers studying the universe.