During one of my astrophotography activities, I photographed a distant galaxy known as NGC 6946, or the Fireworks Galaxy.

Looking at these images, it is easy to see why this galaxy has such a

memorable name. NGC 6946 is a spiral galaxy located about 22 million light years from Earth. It is viewed face on, which gives us a beautiful view of its glowing center and swirling structure.

The Fireworks Galaxy is also famous for its unusually frequent supernovae. In the past century, astronomers have observed several massive stars explode within this galaxy. These powerful events make NGC 6946 an important object for

studying how stars are born, live, and eventually die.

Taking these photographs gave me a chance to look beyond the stars in our own galaxy and capture light that began its journey millions of years ago. The many bright points surrounding NGC 6946 are stars in the foreground, while the soft glowing shape in the center is the distant galaxy itself.

Astrophotography reminds me that the night sky is filled with stories from deep space. Every image is more than a photograph. It is a record of ancient light reaching us after an incredibly long journey.

I am happy to share these two photographs of the Fireworks Galaxy from my astrophotography activities.

Learn more from NASA and NASA Science.