ESO202-G23: Merging Galaxies
Explanation:
ESO202-G23 is a colorful mess.
It is a
collision between two
galaxies taking place over
hundreds of millions of years.
The representative colors give astronomers
some idea of what is going on. Visible in
this jumble is an
active nucleus spewing
ultraviolet radiation
which lights up surrounding gas (blue);
galactic arms contorted by the
gravity of the collision (green); a
star forming complex
left of center (blue); and
dust (red).
In billions of years this mess
might settle into a relatively
normal looking galaxy.
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.
