Photo # 3 (Mar 2009)

ANEMIC GALAXY NGC 4921 AT THE EDGE

I live my life in growing orbits
which move out over the things of the world.
Perhaps I can never achieve the last,
but that will be my attempt.

I am circling around God, around the ancient tower,
and I have been circling for a thousand years,
and I still don't know if I am a falcon, or a storm,
or a great song.
                                   - Rilke

Credit: NASA, ESA, K. Cook (LLNL)

How far away is spiral galaxy NGC 4921? Although presently estimated to be about 320 million light years distant, a more precise determination could be coupled with its known recession speed to help humanity better calibrate the expansion rate of the entire visible universe. Toward this goal, this image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in order to help identify key stellar distance markers known as Cepheid variable stars. Since NGC 4921 is a member of the Coma Cluster of Galaxies, refining its distance would also allow a better distance determination to one of the largest nearby clusters in the local universe. The magnificent spiral NGC 4921 has been informally dubbed anemic because of its low rate of star formation and low surface brightness. The remarkably sharp image was made with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys.

Ours is not the only galaxy in the universe. While similar in general shape, each has its own unique characteristics and personality. Similarly, in human existence we find that each individual manifests a unique combination of elements into the pool of collective consciousness. "Anemic" is often used in a figuratively derogatory manner. Leaving aside the negative connotations of this word, there is something of a beauty by contrast in this example of anemic color.
                                   - Daniel Benor, MD