The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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NGC 253 is one of brightest spiral galaxies in the night sky, easily visible with small telescopes. The galaxy is composed of thousands of young, blue stars and shows intense star formation activity. NGC 253 is the dominant galaxy in the Sculptor Group of galaxies and is located about 13 million light-years from Earth.
This image was captured by the sharp ‘eye’ of Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys, which is able to show individual stars. The dark filaments are clouds of dust and gas.