Credit & Copyright: Gemini Observatory, GMOS-South, NSF
Explanation: What will become of these galaxies? Spiral galaxies NGC 5426 and NGC 5427 are passing dangerously close to each other, but each is likely to survive this collision. Most frequently when galaxies collide, a large galaxy eats a much smaller galaxy. In this case, however, the two galaxies are quite similar, each being a sprawling spiral with expansive arms and a compact core. As the galaxies advance over the next tens of millions of years, their component stars are unlikely to collide, although new stars will form in the bunching of gas caused by gravitational tides. Close inspection of the above imagetaken by the 8-meter Gemini-South Telescope in Chile shows a bridge of material momentarily connecting the two giants. Known collectively as Arp 271, the interacting pair spans about 130,000 light years and lies about 90 million light-years away toward the constellation of Virgo. Quite possibly, our Milky Way Galaxy will undergo a similar collision with the neighboring Andromeda Galaxy in about five billion years.
This picture was taken on my birthday in 2008. It caught my eye because it is so unique
and beautiful. I love the view of the stars and spiral galaxies. The two galaxies are passing
very close to each other. Although the galaxies shown in the picture are relatively small
and most likely will not collide, galaxy collisions can occur. This picture captures my
amazement and wonder for the world. It is truly amazing to me how vast the universe is.
We are merely tiny people compared to the never-ending sky that we live under.
Sometimes, especially when I am stressed, I love to just look up at the
millions of stars in the sky. It's like looking up to heaven.
Megan...beautiful pic! It would be so amazing to look up into the sky some night and see something like that!
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