The galaxy NGC 6946 is approximately 18 million light-years distant from Earth, along the border of the northern constellations of Cepheus and Cygnus. Also known as LEDA 65001, UGC 11597 and APG 29, it has a diameter of 70,000 light years.
It was discovered on September 9, 1798 by the British astronomer William Herschel.
"We can marvel at NGC 6946, as it is a galaxy from the front, which means we see the galaxy from the front of us, rather than from the side, " said astronomers at the Hubble space telescope.
"This galaxy is further classified as an intermediate spiral galaxy and as a stellar explosion galaxy, that is, it has an exceptionally high rate of star formation."
"In the last century alone, NGC 6946 has experienced 10 observed supernovae, earning it the nickname the Fireworks Galaxy, " the astronomers add.
By comparison, our Milky Way galaxy has just one or two supernova events per century.
Reference: ESA / NASA
