Three-quarters of all galaxies fit into one of two structural categories: spiral or elliptical. Here we see a galaxy rebelling against the status quo; part of the other quarter of galaxies who refuse to be defined. This rare, messy yet stunning galaxy is in the constellation of Centarus, roughly 16 million light-years from Earth. Discovered in 1834, it was only when telescope lenses improved that scientists uncovered that it was not a planetary nebula. Experts believe the ultraluminous X-ray source coming from the galaxy could be a theoretical intermediate-mass black hole and are studying the star system for more clues. [See more photos from the Hubble Space Telescope. ]
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