NGC 1015 – Hubble Space Telescope Image

Printed and framed in the UK
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90-day returns · 10-year guarantee
Artist’s original work Never AI-generated

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The artwork we print is faithfully restored from the original source - usually a museum, auction house or private collection.

We never replace, redraw or invent the artist’s work using generative AI.

Restored from the original artwork and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description

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Collector’s Offer: Save 20% on 2 Save 33% on 3 33% off 3

The Collector’s Offer

Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.

Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.

Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.

Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.
Collector’s Offer: Save 20% on 2 Save 33% on 3 33% off 3

The Collector’s Offer

Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.

Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.

Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.

Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.

Restored in London Printed and framed in the UK
Restored in London • Printed and framed in the UK
Free delivery in 2–3 days
90-day money-back returns 10-year guarantee
Free delivery in 2–3 days 90-day money-back returns
Artist’s original work Never AI-generated

Authentic artwork

The artwork we print is faithfully restored from the original source - usually a museum, auction house or private collection.

We never replace, redraw or invent the artist’s work using generative AI.

Restored from the original artwork and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description

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If you want to add a gift message, or a finish (jigsaw, aluminium board, etc.) that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.

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NGC 1015 turns its face towards us from the constellation Cetus, approximately 120 million light-years from Earth. Its bright central bulge anchors...

NGC 1015 turns its face towards us from the constellation Cetus, approximately 120 million light-years from Earth. Its bright central bulge anchors a remarkably ordered system of tightly wound spiral arms, their cooler blue tones curling away from a pale yellow inner ring. Between them, darker lanes trace fine, broken paths through the galaxy’s light.

At the heart of the structure lies a bar of gas and stars. The spiral arms emerge from the ring surrounding this bar, giving NGC 1015 its classification as a barred spiral galaxy. Astronomers believe that bars can channel gas and energy from a galaxy’s outer arms towards its core, potentially feeding a central black hole, fuelling star formation and contributing to the growth of the central bulge.

A much smaller point of light carries unusual scientific importance. In 2009, the Type Ia supernova SN 2009ig appeared in NGC 1015; it is visible here among the bright points above and to the right of the galaxy’s centre. Such explosions are caused by white dwarfs with companion stars and reach a consistent peak luminosity—around five billion times that of the Sun. By comparing this known luminosity with how bright the supernova appears from Earth, astronomers can use it to measure immense distances.

A closer look

The eye first settles on the smooth, luminous centre, where white light softens into cream and pale yellow. The central bar is held within a delicate ring, while the arms begin their outward sweep with unusual clarity. Their curves are neither loose nor chaotic: they remain closely wrapped around the core, giving the galaxy the appearance of a structure drawn in successive, finely controlled arcs.

Farther out, the arms become quieter and more diffuse. Bluish threads and patches break across the surrounding darkness, interrupted by warmer reddish points and narrow obscuring lanes. On the right-hand side, subtle changes in brightness reveal layers within the spiral pattern; towards the lower edge, small red and orange lights punctuate the black field. Scattered background points provide a restrained counterpoint to the galaxy’s broad circular form.

Seen at this scale, NGC 1015’s symmetry is not absolute. Fine irregularities emerge within the apparently smooth arms, and the central glow is crossed by faint linear traces. The result is both composed and intricate: a barred spiral whose grand geometry remains full of local texture.

How this image was made

This view was produced with the Hubble Space Telescope and released by ESA/Hubble on 12 March 2018. Hubble’s face-on perspective makes the relationship between the bright central bulge, the stellar bar, the encircling ring and the tightly wound arms especially legible. The observation also preserves SN 2009ig as a compact point within the wider galaxy—the brief light of an exploded star set against the much larger and more enduring spiral structure.

Image details and provenance

  • Subject: NGC 1015
  • Object type: Barred spiral galaxy
  • Constellation: Cetus
  • Distance from Earth: Approximately 120 million light-years
  • Telescope: Hubble Space Telescope
  • Original release date: 12 March 2018, 06:00
  • Official source: ESA/Hubble, “Spirals and supernovae”
  • Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Riess
    (STScl/JHU)

Choosing the right size and finish

Fine art can feel intimate at smaller sizes and more architectural at larger ones. Use the room preview, model image and size guide to judge the scale of the piece in your space.

For exact dimensions, specialist framing or a larger project, ask our workshop for advice.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this art print.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, or one considered visual detail. See examples of personalised artwork.

Choose Original for colour that remains faithful to the source artwork, or Aged for a warmer antique character. See examples of our Aged artwork.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an art print, framed art print or canvas using the finish options above.

Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic for excellent clarity, reduced reflections and safer delivery. They arrive professionally framed and ready to hang.

Selected artworks can be produced at statement sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). Custom sizing and specialist framing are also available; contact our workshop if the exact option you need is not listed.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

  • We can deliver directly to the recipient
  • Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
  • Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
  • Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
  • 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.

We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.

Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.

Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.

All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.

If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.

Every restored art print begins with the original artist’s work—never an AI-generated replacement.

Our London studio works from carefully selected source material from museums, libraries, archives and private collections. We restore age-related damage, faded colour and imperfect reproduction while preserving the artist’s composition, brushwork, line, texture and period character.

We do not use generative AI to redraw, reinterpret or invent the artwork. Digital restoration is used only to recover and reproduce the original work as faithfully as possible.

Once restored, the master artwork is prepared for your chosen size and finish. Your piece is then printed and, where selected, framed close to its delivery destination.

Our giclée art prints use acid-free 200gsm archival matte paper and fade-resistant pigment inks for a rich, museum-quality finish. Framed art prints use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

Framed canvas and specialist cotton-rag editions are also available. Learn more about our materials and finishes.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

We’ve been restoring and producing maps and art prints since 1984, and we stand behind every piece.

Every order is covered by our 10-year guarantee and damage-free delivery guarantee. If your piece arrives damaged, we’ll replace or remake it free of charge. If anything else isn’t right, contact our workshop team and we’ll put it right promptly.

See our returns and refund policy for full details.