Hubblecast 107: Decoding the colours of NGC 3344

A detailed look at how astronomers interpret the colours in Hubble images — using the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 3344 as a case study. Each hue carries astrophysical information: blue traces young, hot star-forming regions; red marks older stellar populations and ionised hydrogen; while dust lanes appear as dark ribbons threading through the disc. The episode demystifies the art and science behind Hubble’s iconic colour imagery.