Galaxies In Collision in Ursa Major

Galaxies In Collision
May 5, 2012
by Adam Frank - NPR

Arp 148 which shows two galaxies in collision, is located in the constellation of Ursa Major, the Great Bear, approximately 500 million light-years away.

Here is a wonderful image of two galaxies in the midst of a million year plus long collision.

From NASA's image of the day description,

This interacting pair of galaxies is included in Arp's catalog of peculiar galaxies as number 148. Arp 148 is the staggering aftermath of an encounter between two galaxies, resulting in a ring-shaped galaxy and a long-tailed companion. The collision between the two parent galaxies produced a shockwave effect that first drew matter into the center and then caused it to propagate outwards in a ring. The elongated companion perpendicular to the ring suggests that Arp 148 is a unique snapshot of an ongoing collision.

It's worth noting that our galaxy and Andromeda will be doing this kind of dance in a few billion years (start worrying now, its never too early.)

2 PHOTOS:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2012/05/05/152092607/galaxies-in-collision