Planets, stars, and galaxies are some of the most exciting terms we encounter in our science books. While we learn about their formation and stories, it’s their images that truly ignite our curiosity about the universe. Most of the images we see of distant planets, galaxies, and nebulas on social media and TV are captured by powerful telescopes like Hubble and James Webb, stationed in space.
Get ready to be mesmerized by the universe captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. In this vast universe, even colossal galaxies cannot stay isolated. They constantly interact with each other, creating a cosmic dance of gravitational forces and collisions. The Swinburne University of Technology defines an interacting galaxy as one that is being influenced by another galaxy. These interactions, often referred to as “colliding galaxies,” can be visualized as two galaxies clashing.
Here are five photos taken by the NASA Hubble Space Telescope showcasing the captivating interactions between galaxies:
*
UGC 3912:
This spiral galaxy bears the marks of a gravitational encounter with another galaxy, its shape distorted as a result. NASA explains that when galaxies interact, they can brush against each other’s gravitational fields or even collide, causing stars, dust, and gas to be pulled into new trajectories. UGC 3912 might have once been a well-organized spiral, but now appears smudged and disfigured.*
Arp-Madore 2339-661:
This striking image captures the essence of a harmonious relationship between two galaxies. This friendly pair is listed in the Arp-Madore catalog of peculiar galaxies. However, the peculiarity might be more complex than it first appears, as there are actually three galaxies interacting here, not just two. The image reveals the interaction between NGC 7733 (smaller, lower right), NGC 7734 (larger, upper left), and NGC 7733N, which can be spotted in the upper arm of NGC 7733 if you look closely.*
Arp 143:
The captivating triangle shape in this image is the result of a head-on collision between two galaxies. This interacting galaxy duo, collectively known as Arp 143, features NGC 2445, a glittery, distorted, star-forming spiral galaxy on the right, and its less flashy companion, NGC 2444, on the left.*
ARP 248:
This galactic triplet, ARP 248, boasts three galaxies located about 200 million light-years from Earth in the Virgo constellation. The two large spiral galaxies visible in this image, flanking a smaller, unrelated background spiral galaxy, appear to be connected by a luminous bridge.*
ARP 195:
The NASA image captures the impact of a three-way gravitational pull on the two galaxies of system ARP 195. This system is part of the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies.*
The Antennae Galaxies:
This merging pair of galaxies, located about 62 million light-years from Earth, is aptly named for its antenna-like tails.These images from the Hubble Space Telescope provide a glimpse into the dynamic and fascinating processes that shape the universe. They remind us that even in the vastness of space, galaxies are constantly interacting, colliding, and merging, creating a cosmic tapestry of beauty and change.
