Hubble captures two galaxies passing (2 photos)

Space telescope “Hubble” (NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope) sent pictures of the exciting phenomena recorded in the constellation of the Hare at a distance of about 500 million light-years from Earth. The object, designated IRAS 06076-2139 — two rushing past each other at speeds of about 2 million km/h spiral galaxy.

To merge into a single entity, they are unlikely due to such a high speed, however, a small distance between them (about 20 000 light-years) will lead to the fact that the structure of the galaxies undergo changes.

Various galactic interactions and previously recorded orbital telescope, they are carefully studied by astronomers all over the world. For example, our home galaxy milky Way will eventually merge with the Andromeda galaxy. It will happen, according to estimates, about 4.5 billion years.

Source: NASA