Merger Gives Galaxies Wings

Apr 29, 2022 | Daily Space, Galaxies

IMAGE: This image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope features two merging galaxies in the VV-689 system, nicknamed the Angel Wing. Unlike chance alignments of galaxies, which only appear to overlap when viewed from our vantage point on Earth, the two galaxies in VV-689 are in the midst of a collision. CREDIT: ESA/Hubble & NASA, W. Keel; Acknowledgment: J. Schmidt

And now for something entirely different. The Hubble Space Telescope caught this stunning image of two galaxies in the process of merging. Collectively, these two galaxies are cataloged as VV-689. They started out as two normal spiral systems, but their interactions have stretched them into this beautiful symmetry. Over time, they will swing back and forth through each other, until eventually, they settle into being a single system that will in all likelihood be a fairly boring elliptical galaxy.

Beauty is fleeting, even among the stars.

More Information

NASA image release

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