Galaxy Mergers (IMAGE)

Carnegie Institution for Science

Galaxy Mergers

Caption

Collisions between galaxies create tidal artifacts with all sorts of shapes. This new work from Ivanna Escala found conclusive evidence that Andromeda's Northeast, West, and Southeast shelfs and Giant Stellar Stream are the result of a collision with another galaxy. Studying these tidal features can teach us about how galaxies grow and evolve over time as they accrete new material.

Credit

This composite image of 12 galaxy mergers is courtesy of NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration and A. Evans (University of Virginia, Charlottesville/NRAO/Stony Brook University), K. Noll (STScI), and J. Westphal (Caltech).

Usage Restrictions

No restrictions.

License

Public Domain

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