Galaxy NGC 4449 (IMAGE) European Space Agency Caption Nearly 12.5 million light-years away, in the dwarf galaxy NGC 4449, stellar fireworks on display have been captured by the Hubble Space Telescope's Advances Camera for Surveys. It is likely that the current widespread starburst in the galaxy was triggered by interaction or merger with a smaller companion. Observed in the visible (blue and green), infrared, and hydrogen-alpha regions of the spectrum, hundreds of thousands of vibrant blue and red stars are visible in this new image. Hot bluish white clusters of massive stars are scattered throughout the galaxy, interspersed with numerous dustier reddish regions where star formation is taking place. Massive, dark clouds of gas and dust are silhouetted against starlight. Credit NASA, ESA, A. Aloisi (STScI/ESA), the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration Usage Restrictions For non-commercial use only License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.