Hubble Image Reveals Unusual Spiral Structure in NGC 4698
Hubble captured spiral galaxy NGC 4698, whose spiral arms appear mainly in the outer disk rather than reaching the core. The arms form a ring-like pattern around the bright center. The image was released on Sept. 18, 2026.
Hubble’s view of NGC 4698, issued on Sept. 18, 2026, shows a spiral galaxy whose overall shape resembles the Milky Way’s broad class. Its thin stellar disk also holds gas and dust, with the outer arms traced by dark brown dust knots and small groupings of bright blue stars.
In many spirals, such arms continue inward toward the luminous nucleus. NGC 4698 differs: its arms are conspicuous mainly in the outer disk and instead create a circular pattern around the galaxy’s bright center. The image credits include ESA/Hubble, NASA, D. Thilker, and the MAUVE-HST Team.
This Hubble image may draw public attention to how galaxies can differ from familiar spiral patterns, potentially sparking curiosity among students, educators, and amateur astronomers. Science communicators could use it in classrooms, planetarium shows, or news features to illustrate Hubble’s ongoing role in space technology. Researchers may also find value in comparing NGC 4698 with other galaxies, though the immediate societal effect is likely modest and mainly cultural or educational rather than directly technological.