Concentrated along the spiral arms of NGC 1376, bright blue knots of gas highlight areas of active star formation.[4] These regions show an excess of light at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths because they contain brilliant clusters of hot, newborn stars that are emitting UV light.[2] The less intense, red areas near the core and between the arms consist mainly of older stars.[4][2] The reddish dust lanes delineate cooler, denser regions where interstellar clouds collapse to form new stars.[1] Behind the spiral arms is a sprinkling of reddish background galaxies.[2]
NGC 1376 belongs to a class of spirals that are seen nearly face on from our line of sight.[1] Its orientation aids astronomers in studying details and features of the galaxy from a relatively unobscured vantage point.[2]
