NGC 6240: When Galaxies Collide
Credit & Copyright: 2.2m Telescope, La Silla, Chile,
ESO,
MPI, W. Keel
(UA)
Explanation:
Sometimes even
galaxies can suffer a fatal attraction. Here
gravity causes two
galaxies to collide in a spectacular display of
energetic
gas,
dust, and light. When
galaxies collide it is rare that any
stars in the galaxies
themselves collide, or that any change will be seen in a human lifetime.
Rather the structure of one or both galaxies gets slowly disrupted, while
interior gas condenses to new
star forming regions. Stellar motions in the
center of the
NGC 6240
frenetic mix are among the highest in any stellar
system. Galaxy mergers may emit energetic radiations across the
electromagnetic spectrum. This galactic jumble is, in fact, extremely
bright in
infrared light.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
