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Interacting galaxies have always attracted the attention of space agencies like NASA, ESA, etc. Their spectacular views have always been the center of attraction for many space enthusiasts. The internet is filled with adorable NASA pictures of such galaxies that can be easily associated with many shapes of living creatures like animals and birds.
The US space agency recently shared a new photo of Arp 107, a pair of interacting galaxies. Although the interaction between an elliptical galaxy and a spiral galaxy will take millions of years to complete, the photo of Arp 107 may remind viewers of an awesome sight straight from space. Here are five different NASA photos of Arp 107.
The blue-hued galaxy is the eye of this NASA image taken by Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument). If you look closely at the image, you’ll also be able to spot the supermassive black hole at the center of the large spiral galaxy on the right.
It also demonstrates Webb’s ability to detect diffraction spikes caused by light emitted by a supermassive black hole interacting with the telescope’s structure.
The sensitive infrared detectors on NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope captured three images of interacting galaxies in different colors.
These three images could help map faint regions of new star formation in this pair of colliding galaxies, known as Arp 107. Like a beautiful pearl necklace, this system has formed young star clusters along a ring-like tidal arm.
Learn more about Arp 107
Those who want to know more about the Arp 107 interacting galaxy and understand what will happen to the pair in millions of years can watch the NASA video mentioned below:
What are interacting galaxies?
Galaxies are magnificent but delicate structures. When they pass each other or collide, their gravitational forces interact, stretching and distorting their shapes. Normally, when two galaxies collide, they eventually merge into a single entity, a process that appears to be a common aspect of galaxy formation. Interestingly, during these encounters, it is not stars that collide but gas clouds within galaxies.
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