Friday, Jan 23, 2026

This image shows the two brighter galaxies IC 4633 and IC 4635 in the southern constellation Apus (Bird of Paradise). The scene is crossed by fine, large-scale dust structures of the galactic cirrus, extending predominantly across the left half of the frame. Particularly striking is the way the cirrus partially obscures the western outskirts of IC 4633, while the brighter central region of the galaxy remains visible through a gap in the dust. The delicate filaments consist of interstellar dust that reflects and scatters the diffuse light of countless stars in the Milky Way.