The Antennae Galaxies in Collision
Credit: NASA, ESA & B. Whitmore (STScI) et al.; Image processing: Davide De Martin
Posted on 07/18/2010 5:52:51 AM PDT by sig226
Explanation: Two galaxies are squaring off in Corvus and here are the latest pictures. But when two galaxies collide, the stars that compose them usually do not. That's because galaxies are mostly empty space and, however bright, stars only take up only a small amount of that space. During the slow, hundred million year collision, one galaxy can still rip the other apart gravitationally, and dust and gas common to both galaxies does collide. In this clash of the titans, dark dust pillars mark massive molecular clouds are being compressed during the galactic encounter, causing the rapid birth of millions of stars, some of which are gravitationally bound together in massive star clusters.
Looks like a child in the womb. Don’t tell Obama though. He’ll task Bolden to kill it once he’s through groveling to the MooSlimes.
These pictures are awe inspiring.
(Though the String Theory Ping List isn't far behind ;-))
That is Absolutely Magnificent, Sig!
Hopefully this will be the result of Americans coming together to defeat the evil that controls our lives today.
I refer to this:
“causing the rapid birth of millions of stars, some of which are gravitationally bound together in massive star clusters.”
I hope that Conservatives represent those “gravitationally bound together in massive star clusters”.
LLS
3rd consecutive keeper, APOD is on a roll! Thanks Sig!
When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it. - Bernard Bailey
LOL love that!
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