NGC 2903 is a stunning barred spiral galaxy located about 30 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. This galaxy exhibits a well-defined central bar and tightly wound spiral arms, rich with regions of star formation and interstellar dust. Captured in RGB, this image highlights the galaxy’s bright core, filled with older stars, and its spiral arms, dotted with blue clusters of young stars and glowing pinkish-red HII regions.

Interestingly, NGC 2903 was overlooked by Charles Messier despite its brightness, making it one of the brightest galaxies not included in his catalog. The galaxy’s central bar plays a key role in funneling gas toward the core, fueling star formation and contributing to the galaxy’s dynamic evolution. This RGB image captures the intricate interplay of color and structure within this cosmic masterpiece.