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Messier Object 58 is a "barred" spiral
galaxy--a galaxy with spiral arms but with a bar-like
structure crossing the hub of its center. One of the
brightest galaxies in the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, M 58 is
60 million light years away.
The bright blue spot at the upper edge
of the spiral is not part of M 58, but instead is a star in
our own galaxy residing in the foreground of this scene.
Recent observations have revealed that
our own Milky Way galaxy is also a barred spiral.
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