Crack in the universe: Incredible new image of a distant galaxy seen from side-on

Like a thin band of light stretched across space, it looks like some sort of intergalactic letterbox.

But this extraordinary image is in fact is a distant galaxy called NGC 4452, captured as it lies directly edge-on to Earth.

The result is an extraordinary picture taken by the Hubble space telescope of billions of stars observed from an unusual angle. The bright nucleus can be seen at the centre, along with the very thin disc that looks like a straight line from our unusual viewing position.

via Crack in the universe: Incredible new image of a distant galaxy seen from side-on | Mail Online.