Nearly Face-On Collision Between Galaxies #shorts

ESO550-IG025 shows a pair of spiral galaxies, the larger nearly face-on and accompanied by a smaller, highly tilted partner. Tidal interaction from the smaller companion has clearly deformed one arm of the larger galaxy. Strong star formation continues both in the deformed arm and in a ring structure around the galaxy's core. The pair is surrounded by the glow of faintly shining stars and interstellar matter that has been smeared through space by the gravitational effects of the collision and the pull of a third nearby galaxy.

This image is part of a large collection of 59 images of merging galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and released on the occasion of its 18th anniversary on 24th April 2008.

#interacting #galaxies #merging #galaxy #universe #hubbletelescope

Credit:
NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration and A. Evans (University of Virginia, Charlottesville/NRAO/Stony Brook University)

[nickschurko]

We are seeing what has happened millions of years ago. By now the galaxies are seriously blending together producing massive amounts of heat, radiation, matter, .and light that we can see. It's like watching a Superbowl replay on the most massive scale.