Image courtesy Rodrigo Carrasco and Travis Rector, GEMS/UAA/Gemini Observatory
A cosmic crash scene of two galaxies, with many young star clusters strewn about, is on display in this new near-infrared image by the Gemini South Observatory in Chile.
Sitting 10.5 million light-years from Earth, the two intertwining islands of stars are known as the antennae galaxies due to the two, spindly arms coming out from the galactic core that look similar to insect antenna.
These antenna-like structures—made of millions of stars—were originally spiral arms, a normal part of a galaxy. Over time they became gravitationally distorted and drawn out into space during the initial collision between the galaxies 300 million years ago.
Astronomers believe that billions of years in the future, our own Milky Way will suffer the same fate, smashing into our neighboring Andromeda galaxy and eventually merging into one. (Related: "Earth Likely to Relocate in Galactic Collision.")
—Andrew Fazekas
Published July 12, 2013
Photograph courtesy NASA
A giant plume of dust rising from the deserts in southern Egypt races over the Red Sea in this panoramic snapshot taken by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on June 22. (See more desert pictures.)
The delta of the southern Egyptian river Khor Baraka—more than 340 miles (550 kilometers) below the ISS—is a large area filled with loose sand and clay that gets routinely kicked up by strong winds channeled into the area by nearby hills.
Published July 12, 2013
Image courtesy U.Arizona/NASA
A craggy valley carved by fast-flowing water possibly a billion years ago highlights this June 3 image taken by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter from 179 miles (286 kilometers) above Mars's surface.
Diverse geological landforms, which predate the ancient flood, have been left to erode in the harsh, present-day Martian environment.
Published July 12, 2013
Photograph courtesy NASA
Plumes of smoke from forest fires raging in northern Quebec, Canada, are captured in this striking image by crew aboard the international Space Station on July 3.
Strong northwesterly winds have pushed the smoke and resulting smog from the James Bay region down as far south as the U.S. state of Maine, causing noticeable drops in air quality.
Published July 12, 2013
Photograph by Jeff Wallace, National Geographic Your Shot
Published July 12, 2013
1 Like
This cosmic crash of 2 galaxies will be the slowest show ever seen on earth taking about 500 thousand years to complete smashing into each other,I wonder if I will still be alive,lol,I won't even be alive long enough to see any collisions or anybody else alive or yet to be born in the next couple of thousand years
Using ice cores, geochemistry, tree rings, and ancient texts, scientists discover which volcano erupted in the 13th century with worldwide effects.
For the first time, astronomers can forecast cloudy skies on a distant exoplanet.
The extinct animal's face structure could help explain how vertebrates, including people, evolved our distinctive look.
NG's new Change the Course campaign launches.
Future of Fish is helping fishermen improve their bottom line while better managing stocks for the future.
The Change Reaction blog investigates in California.
