When Galaxies Collide
Posted By Ben Goulding, 10 July, 2009 | permalink
A group of galaxies, collectively know as Stephan’s Quintet recently collided creating a wonderful spectacle for astronomers.
The bright spiral galaxy was moving at two million miles per hour as it passed through the core of galaxies, which created the curved X-rays which are the light blue parts in the picture.
This image provides a rare glimpse of a galaxy group in the process of evolving and developing. It also helps astronomers understand the origins of the hot, X-ray bright halos of gas in groups of galaxies.
Don’t worry though, all this action took place 280 million light years from earth. Phew!
[via NASA]
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