 The dwarf galaxy UGC-891 is approximately 8 million light-years from Earth and contains a billion stars. It's considered an irregular galaxy because it does not have an orderly spiral or elliptical appearance. Some irregular galaxies may have become tangled by tumultuous internal activity. While others have formed by interactions with neighboring galaxies, the result is a class of galaxies with a diverse array of sizes and shapes, including the diffuse scatter of stars like we see in this galaxy. The red patches are likely interstellar hydrogen molecules that are glowing because they have been excited by the light from hot, energetic stars.